BBC pundit shares Aston Villa team news prediction for Europa Conference League tie v Zrinjski Mostar
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.
Alan Hutton believes the starting line-up named by Aston Villa manager Unai Emery against Zrinjski Mostar will make for “interesting” reading whoever is fielded.
The Villans have already secured a place in the next round in their inaugural participation in the Europa Conference League, but a draw away at Zrinjski on Thursday (14 December) will make certain of top spot.
That throws up the prospect of Emery potentially shaking up his squad ahead of Sunday’s (17 December) trip to Brentford in the Premier League.
However, finishing second in the group would mean an extra couple of European games in February, with that already a potentially congested month.
Hutton expects Emery to stick largely with the same line-up he tends to field in continental fixtures, but there could be one or two surprises for the game in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“I’m not sure what he’ll do in terms of fringe players,” Hutton told Villa News.
“It’s an opportunity to give people like [Jacob] Ramsey, who I know is not a youth player any more, a chance.
“But I do think he’ll stick to the team he’s been putting out in Europe, the likes of [Leander] Dendoncker and these type of guys.
“He’ll be wanting to give them minutes knowing he may need them going forward.
“I think it’ll be interesting, and I hope that he does [rotate] because it’s an opportunity to do so, but we’ll have to wait and see.”
Dendoncker has been linked with a move away from Villa.
Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri reported on 16 November that the Belgium international is no longer in Unai Emery’s plans and that he wants to leave the club.
In other Aston Villa news, a first-team regular has been hailed by a Sky Sports pundit for his “outstanding” performances this season.