Unai Emery to drop Moussa Diaby, first start of the season handed out – Aston Villa predicted XI v Legia Warsaw
Aston Villa gem Jacob Ramsey could be handed his first start of the season by Unai Emery in Thursday (28 November) night’s clash with Legia Warsaw.
The Villans sit second in Group E after four games, level on points with Warsaw at the top of the table, with a win or a draw in Thursday’s match ensuring Emery’s side’s place in the Europa Conference League knockout stages.
With the top of the top-of-the-table clash potentially set to define Aston Villa’s European campaign this season, Emery is likely to field a strong side at Villa Park, but we’re predicting he could make five changes to freshen up his squad, including dropping Moussa Diaby.
Emi Martinez will continue between the posts for Villa after an outstanding display against Spurs in which the Argentine made six saves to ensure that Emery’s side didn’t succumb to the early pressure from Ange Postecoglou’s men [Fotmob].
Matty Cash could be given a second chance at right-back having been hooked at half-time against Spurs as the Polish international lost four of his six ground duels and picked up a booking having conceded three fouls. With a view to him being dropped in the Premier League, he could start in Europe.
At the heart of defence, Clement Lenglet will definitely start having played every minute in all four of Aston Villa’s Conference League matches this season. The Frenchman is key to Villa’s plan on the ball and completed 90 per cent of his passes against AZ Alkmaar last time out.
Ezri Konsa will likely partner him having been one of the Villans’ best players this season, having won four of his six duels against Spurs and managing an impressive five ball recoveries.
Alex Moreno could make his first start of the campaign at left-back, replacing Lucas Digne after the Frenchman’s poor display in the final third. In his last outing Digne only found a teammate with two of his eight attempted crosses so should be dropped for the returning Spaniard.
In such a crucial game Douglas Luiz picks himself after his cutting-edge display in midfield which saw him complete 94 per cent of his 51 passes. Youri Tielemans should partner him in midfield after his excellent cameo from the bench which saw him pick up and assist and create two chances for his teammates.
Like Luiz, John McGinn will more than likely start on Thursday. The Scotsman has started every game of Villa’s season so far and only missed 61 minutes of the Premier League so far so will almost definitely start.
Diaby has only started once in the Conference League this season and will be dropped after a disappointing afternoon against Spurs.
The 24-year-old registered 9 passes in the first half and only completed 33 per of his attempted dribbles. In comparison, Leon Bailey beat his opposite number with three of his four attempted dribbles so will surely replace the Frenchman in the starting XI.
Just behind Ollie Watkins who will probably lead the line having scored his seventh Premier League game at the weekend, Ramsey could make his first start of the season. The attacking midfielder recovered from injury to appear from the bench against Tottenham, being introduced in injury time.
The 22-year-old scored in his only substantial appearance against Brighton this season and was accurate with 100 per cent of his passes. After a start-stop start to the campaign, Thursday’s clash would be the perfect chance to give Ramsey a full run out.
In other Aston Villa news, Gabby Agbonlahor has gushed live on air over Ollie Watkins’ performance against Tottenham