The star player for Aston Villa, Jacob Ramsey, may get Unai Emery’s first start of the year against Legia Warsaw on Thursday, November 28.
With four games played, the Villans are tied for first place in Group E with Warsaw. A victory or a draw against Warsaw on Thursday would guarantee Emery’s team a spot in the Europa Conference League knockout stages.
Emery is expected to field a strong team at Villa Park because the match at the top of the table could decide Aston Villa’s European campaign this year. However, we predict he may make five changes to bolster his squad, which could include benching Moussa Diaby.
After an incredible performance against Spurs, in which the Argentine made six saves to ensure that Emery’s team didn’t give in to the early pressure from Ange Postecoglou’s team [Fotmob], Emi Martinez will remain in goal for Villa.
After being substituted at halftime against Spurs, Matty Cash, a Polish international who had given up three fouls and lost four of his six ground duels, might be given another opportunity at right back. He might start in Europe in anticipation of being dropped in the Premier League.
Clement Lenglet, who has started every minute of Aston Villa’s Conference League games this season, will undoubtedly start at the centre of defence. The Frenchman, who completed 90% of his passes against AZ Alkmaar the previous time out, is essential to Villa’s game plan.
He will probably be partnered with Ezri Konsa, who has been among the Villans’ best players this year. He has defeated Spurs in four of his six duels and has made an amazing five ball recoveries.
Due to Lucas Digne’s subpar performance in the closing third, Alex Moreno may start the season as left-back for the first time. Digne should be benched for the returning Spaniard because he only found a teammate on two of his eight attempted crosses in his previous appearance.
Douglas Luiz selects himself for such an important game following his brilliant midfield performance in which he completed 94% of his 51 passes. After his impressive cameo from the bench, where he picked up the ball, assisted, and created two chances for his teammates, Youri Tielemans ought to play alongside him in midfield.
John McGinn will probably start on Thursday, just like Luiz. The Scotsman will almost certainly start because he has started every game for Villa this season and has only missed 61 minutes of Premier League play.
Diaby, who has only made one start in the Conference League this year, will be benched following a lacklustre performance against the Spurs on Sunday.
In the first half, the 24-year-old completed just 33 percent of his passes that were attempted. Comparatively, Leon Bailey made three of his four dribble attempts better than his opponent, meaning he will undoubtedly replace the Frenchman in the starting lineup.
Ramsey might make his season debut, starting right behind Ollie Watkins, who will likely lead the line after scoring his seventh goal in a Premier League match this past weekend. After recovering from his injury, the attacking midfielder started the match against Tottenham on the bench and was added during injury time.
In his lone meaningful game this season against Brighton, the 22-year-old scored and completed 100% of his passes with accuracy. Ramsey would get the opportunity to play the entire game in Thursday’s matchup after the season has started erratically.
