For Aston Villa’s Premier League match against Brentford on Sunday at the Gtech Community Stadium (17 December), Unai Emery may make up to seven changes. When the Villans play Thomas Frank’s team in West Midlands, they hope to win three straight and solidify their place among the top three teams in the Premier League.
After a 1-1 draw against Zrinjski on Thursday, Aston Villa secured their spot in the Europa Conference League final 16, and Emery is likely to make changes for Sunday’s pivotal match.
Given his undeniable position in Emery’s squad, Emi Martinez is anticipated to return to goal after academy graduate Filip Marschal started and performed well against Zrinjski on Thursday.
Emery started Matty Cash in defense against the Bosnians, and the Polish international impressed, winning 60% of his ground duels and 100% of his aerial duels. He also completed 92% of his passes and recorded one crucial pass. [SofaScore], although after starting at center back in Europe, Ezri Konsa is likely to switch back to right back.
Torres, who started the game at center-back, was at his rhythmic best against Zrinjski, finishing over 90% of his passes as he once again set the tone from deep. The Spaniard should keep his place and partner with Diego Carlos, who made a brief appearance during the week.
Starting the game at center defense, Torres was at the peak of his rhythmic play against Zrinjski, completing almost 90% of his passes and establishing the tone from long range once more. Diego Carlos, who had a fleeting appearance during the week, should team with the Spaniard and maintain his position.
The 30-year-old’s aggressive style and the caliber of the opponent did not help him produce a single crucial pass, and he also failed with all three of his attempted crosses and his lone long ball. On Sunday, he should start, but he needs to do better against a strong Brentford squad.
Youri Tielemans and Leon Bailey, who both should be able to play against the Bees, are confirmed by Emery (via Birmingham Live, December 14) as midfield players. Although Douglas Luiz is suspended, the Belgian may still start in central midfield next to Boubacar Kamara.
Both Jacob Ramsey and Moussa Diaby should be replaced by John McGinn and the highly effective Leon Bailey, who now has five goals and four assists. Both players had a lackluster performance against Zrinjski, recording just one crucial pass between them in addition to registering zero percent of shots, interceptions, and long balls [SofaScore].
In attack, Emery must decide whether to play Nicolo Zaniolo in lieu of Douglas Luiz. However, the Italian impressed his manager with a positive and better performance, aside from scoring his first goal for the team in Bosnia, following his early problems at Villa Park.
Four attempted crosses, three shots on goal, and seven attempted dribbles demonstrated his desire to create opportunities in the final third and reinforced his 100% long-ball accuracy.
Jhon Duran, who began in Bosnia, should be replaced up front by Ollie Watkins.
Emery, though, will be looking for the Englishman to bounce back after his dreadful individual performance against Arsenal, in which he only completed 42% of his passes, gave up the ball 18 times, failed to make a crucial pass, and failed to complete either of his two dribbles. [SofaScore].
Watkins has had another successful season thus far in goal, tallying 13 goals and posting eight goals across all competitions [Transfermarkt]. On Sunday, Aston Villa will undoubtedly require him to be at the top of his game.
