Ollie Watkins to miss out in three changes – Aston Villa predicted XI v Bournemouth
Unai Emery could have to play his first Premier League game without star striker Ollie Watkins since November 2022 as Aston Villa take on Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday afternoon (3 December).
The Villans look to continue their good form, charging into the top four last weekend with a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. A win could see Villa take top spot in the Premier League if all other results go their way.
Their opponents, Bournemouth, have managed to get back to winning ways under Andoni Iraola following a winless start to the season. Victories over Sheffield United and Newcastle United have lifted the Cherries seven points away from the relegation zone, giving plenty for Emery to ponder.
Emi Martinez is likely to come back into the starting XI after Robin Olsen was given the nod against Legia Warszawa in the Europa Conference League and managed to make two saves [FotMob], helping Villa to an all-important win in Group E.
Matty Cash could continue to hold his position at right-back. There was uncertainty over his involvement midweek after a sloppy performance against Tottenham, but his 92 per cent pass completion and 60 per cent ground duels won will be vital against a free-flowing Bournemouth side.
With Clement Lenglet being utilised in the Europa Conference League, playing 100 per cent of minutes in the tournament and yet to make a league start this season, Pau Torres and Ezri Konsa are most likely to start as the centre-back duo.
Alex Moreno could keep his place in the side ahead of Lucas Digne, with his only shot on target against Legia Warszawa hitting the back of the net. This would be his first Premier League outing of the season.
With Boubacar Kamara still serving a suspension, the almost-undroppable Douglas Luiz could start in midfield alongside Youri Tielemans, who has two assists in as many appearances and created three chances in midweek.
As Tielemans moves inside, John McGinn could move out wide and Nicolo Zaniolo may be given another chance to prove himself after his performance against Nottingham Forest last month, winning only 18 per cent of his ground duels before being hooked by Emery at half-time.
As quoted by the Evening Standard on Friday (1 December), Emery revealed the reason behind Watkin’s absence, saying, “He had yesterday small pain. Not very strong. We decided as well to rest him.
“He was not available because 50 per cent in training he felt something, we didn’t want to take a risk. We also wanted to get minutes with Jhon Duran.”
The England international may have to deal with a place on the bench, while Jhon Duran and Moussa Diaby may continue their striking partnership from Thursday night. The latter grabbed a goal four minutes into the match but Duran’s 100 per cent shot accuracy was thwarted by goalkeeper Kacper Tobiasz.
Emery may decide that Duran deserves more game time, with Watkins shunned to the bench for the first time since the opening game of the 2022/23 season, in which Villa faced Bournemouth.
In other Aston Villa news, a rising star has given Unai Emery some food for thought and his Aston Villa debut will surely be on the horizon in the coming weeks.