Leander Dendoncker and Youri Tielemans to be axed by Unai Emery in six changes – Aston Villa predicted XI v Brighton
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery could be set to make six changes to his starting eleven when they host Brighton at Villa Park in the Premier League on Saturday (30 September).
The Villans enter such a difficult test off the back of a disappointing 2-1 loss to Everton on Wednesday when goals from James Garner and Dominic Calvert-Lewin ensured an early EFL Cup exit on home turf.
Substitute Boubacar Kamara’s strike deflected in with seven minutes remaining to make it a nervy finish but the hosts could not find the equaliser and were punished by a flat atmosphere with vast banks of empty seats.
Defeat means Villa’s 10-game winning streak at home was brought to a shuddering halt and ended their five-game winning streak over their opponents.
Emery will be expected to ring the changes again as they take on a Brighton side in excellent league form and sit third in the table.
In goal, Emi Martinez is expected to reclaim his spot in the Aston Villa goal from Robin Olsen who once again showed why he is streets behind his counterpart in quality, with a lacklustre showing against Everton.
The Swede made three saves on the night (SofaScore) but looked unconvincing, especially on the ball and it’s why he is a long way from usurping the Argentinian number one at Villa Park.
In defence, Emery should make one change with Lucas Digne returning at left-back to replace John McGinn who looked rather uncomfortable in an unfamiliar role all evening before being hooked off at half-time.
Alex Moreno was nowhere to be seen in the matchday squad on Wednesday but Emery explained (27 September) that he is not ready to play the Spaniard after just returning from injury.
Digne should return to the team after playing just 45 minutes against Everton, with Cash, Konsa and Torres continuing alongside him in the defence.
In midfield, Emery certainly had to deal with some woeful performances against Everton with Leander Dendoncker and Youri Tielemans failing to take their chances after starting the match.
As per SofaScore, Dendoncker lost 100% of any of his ground duels, failed to register a single tackle playing as the deepest midfielder, recorded zero interceptions, barely touched the ball with 33 touches while Tielemans lost 100% of his aerial duels, made a critical error leading to Calvert-Lewin’s goal, gave away three fouls and lost possession 11 times in a disappointing showing by the pair.
For that reason, both players will be out in the cold again against Brighton with goalscorer Kamara set to pair up with Douglas Luiz in the middle of the park for Emery, providing solidity and ball progression against a Brighton side who will look to pressure high up the pitch.
In attack, Leon Bailey was withdrawn with what looked like a hamstring injury in the 31st, taken off for loan summer signing Nicolo Zaniolo and the Italian international may well be tasked with filling in from the left-flank with McGinn providing defensive security and thrust against a rampant Brighton team.
The ever-impressive Moussa Diaby should start behind Ollie Watkins up front with the England international coming in for Jhon Duran who endured a rather difficult and quiet evening up against Everton’s three central defenders.
Aston Villa have been something of a bogey team for Brighton in recent seasons, winning the last four meetings and losing just once in 16 games against the Seagulls and that record is certainly under threat on Saturday.
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