Aston Villa starting XI v Newcastle United predicted, Unai Emery changes on the cards
We’re delighted to welcome former Aston Villa full-back Alan Hutton as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Villa Park…
Unai Emery could make a couple of changes to the Aston Villa starting line-up to play Newcastle United in their Premier League opener on Saturday, according to Alan Hutton.
Villa ended a strong pre-season with a 2-1 victory over Valencia at the Mestalla last week (5 August).
Hutton doesn’t envisage Emery making too many changes to the team that won in Spain, even though a number of top players were left on the bench by the Spaniard.
“It’ll be pretty similar [to the team that played Valencia],” Hutton told Villa News.
“I’m in the camp where the last pre-season game almost mirrors what you’re going to do in the first game of the season.
“I don’t see too many changes. There could be a couple thrown in here and there – you don’t necessarily know. But I think that will more or less be it.
“Aston Villa have had a good pre-season, they’ve been very strong – especially in the last couple of games in Valencia and Lazio.
“They’ve played against good opposition so they look in a good place at this moment in time with options off the bench.
“Unai Emery and his team will be confident but it’s a difficult opening game, I’m not going to lie. It’s tough but what game in the Premier League isn’t now? For me, it’s the best league in the world.
“You have to get off to a good start though.”
Emi Buendia, Lucas Digne, Philippe Coutinho and Youri Tielemans all started the game on the bench but were substituted in at different stages, with Buendia scoring Villa’s winning goal after he replaced Leon Bailey in the 45th minute.
Emery’s XI against Valencia was Emi Martinez, Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Pau Torres, Douglas Luiz, Boubacar Kamara, Bailey, John McGinn, Moussa Diaby and Ollie Watkins [BirminghamLive].
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