Andrew Maddox

Sat 23 July 2022 10:08, UK

Aston Villa have confirmed their starting line-up for their penultimate pre-season clash with Manchester United in Perth, Australia.

Tyrone Mings is the headline inclusion, with Birmingham Mail reporter Ashley Preece suggesting on Friday (22 July) that the defender would be missing out.

Winger Leon Bailey also misses out despite impressing throughout Villa’s summer schedule, with Villa confirming via Twitter that Philippe Coutinho has been given the nod to start.

The system seems to be leaning towards a 4-3-1-2 formation, with Coutinho sitting in the ‘10’ role behind Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins.

Many will see this as a frustrating development given the duo’s struggles to work effectively as a pair, but clearly, Steven Gerrard feels it is worth persisting with.

Test of mettle

Taking on Manchester United – even in a pre-season friendly – is a massive test for Villa’s credentials as they look to move up the league.

Gerrard has challenged his side to hit the top seven this season according to The Athletic, putting them in direct competition with Erik ten Hag’s side.

They have looked to level up their team since Gerrard’s arrival, signing Lucas Digne and Philippe Coutinho in January alongside Diego Carlos and Boubacar Kamara this summer.

However, Villa have been somewhat underwhelming during their Australia tour, often looking static and wasteful in the forward areas.

Kamara and Carlos have dazzled in the defensive positions, with the former looking like he is the answer to Villa’s defensive midfield issues that have existed for years.

The same cannot be said for the strikers, with Villa scoring just twice across their two games and only one of those came from open play.

If Villa could put in a strong performance against the Red Devils, then it would provide a massive morale boost as they look to kick on for the new season.

In other Aston Villa news, Alan Hutton has predicted Ludwig Augustinsson will be a backup next season.