Joe Roberts

Fri 20 October 2023 12:10, UK

John McGinn could be omitted from Unai Emery’s starting lineup when Aston Villa take on West Ham at Villa Park on Sunday (22 October).

Villa will be eager to bounce back after their disappointing 1-1 draw to Wolves before the international break, but they could be without their captain after Alan Hutton exclusively revealed to Villa News that the Scotsman told him he was suffering a minor leg injury during his country’s clash against France.

McGinn was on the bench for the friendly before coming on in the closing moments to secure his 60th Scotland cap in the 4-1 defeat, despite the “tightness” in his legs.

In the absence of Aston Villa’s longest-serving player, the boss will be keen to fill the void with a strong starting 11 against a dangerous West Ham side.

In goal, Emi Martinez will be expected to remain. The Argentine has proved solid for Villa again this season despite a lack of clean sheets. West Ham always seems to find a way to score, being one of the few sides in the Premier League to score at least once in all their games. Martinez will have to be on top form to keep a clean sheet, but the World Cup winner will undoubtedly make some crucial stops.

The defence will likely remain unchanged from the Wolves encounter. Pau Torres, riding high from his point-sealing goal against Gary O’Neil’s outfit, seems to have settled into his new role after a slightly suspect start. Diego Carlos proved a strong partner for the Spaniard at Molineux and will hope to replicate his 91 per cent passing accuracy and solid possessional play against David Moyes’ side [SofaScore].

The full-backs in Emery’s side need to add width and bring the ball further upfield, and Lucas Digne and Ezri Konsa did this exceptionally against Wolves, which could be enough to keep them in the starting lineup. However, the Frenchman lost possession 25 times in Villa’s last game, so Emery will be keen to retain the ball better against the counter-attacking Hammers.

In the middle of the park, Emery’s solidified Douglas Luiz and Boubacar Kamara partnership is likely to continue. Luiz patrolled the midfield against Wolves with 81 per cent passing accuracy, four successful long balls and five ground duels won, while Kamara may have felt disappointed not to have had as much influence. Nethertheless, his ability in the midfield will be needed to break West Ham’s rapid counter-attacks and bring stability to the heart of the team.

On the left of the midfield, we could see Nicolo Zaniolo replacing the potentially injured McGinn. With a 100 per cent long-ball success rate and 88 per cent passing accuracy, McGinn will be tough to replace and the Italian will need to be on top form to replicate the Scotsman’s output.

Leon Bailey could come in on the other side of midfield for Matty Cash. The Polish international has a day to forget at Molineux, managing just seven successful passes from 14 attempted and zero successful dribbles. Bailey has been in and out of the side this season but has popped up with big moments, so Emery may give him the nod.

Moussa Diaby and Ollie Watkins will most likely keep their places in the Aston Villa attack. Diaby looked a bit off the pace against Wolves, perhaps still nursing his injury from the 6-1 Brighton victory. However, with no France duty to contend with, Diaby should be at full fitness after the long break. Watkins was not afforded the same rest, but his game-winning goal for England against Australia, his eighth of the season, will give him even more confidence.

With a European spot firmly on the cards this season, defeat to a fellow challenger would be a huge blow to Emery.

In other Aston Villa news, a journalist has mooted a “unique” problem for a Villa ace.