Anthony Onifade

Wed 13 December 2023 7:10, UK

Unai Emery could be set to make wholesale changes to his Aston Villa side when they take on Zrinjski Mostar in the Europa Conference League on Thursday.

The Villans make the trip to Bosnia-Herzegovina to face Zrinjski on Thursday night (14 December) requiring a point to guarantee a place in the Europa Conference League last 16.

The Premier League outfit have already ensured a spot in the knockout stages, while their opponents are playing for pride having been eliminated with a game to spare which means Emery could be set to make as many as eight changes to the team with one key change seeing Ollie Watkins axed and rested.

Villans face a tough clash against Brentford in the Premier League on Sunday and Emery will certainly not want to risk any key injuries ahead of the game.

In goal, Robin Olsen will be expected to replace Emiliano Martinez for the game, starting his second European tie in succession after starting the 2-1 win over Legia Warsaw on 30 November.

The Swede actually put in a decent showing, successfully completing 80 per cent of his passes, registering one key pass, completing seven of his 13 long balls and making two saves despite conceding a goal [SofaScore].

In defence, Emery made the decision to deploy Ezri Konsa as the right-back or a third wide centre-back against Arsenal and Manchester City, a decision which proved a masterstroke in both games as the Villans kept two clean sheets in succession.

However, the Spaniard may switch things up again and allow Matty Cash a chance after playing cameo roles in the Premier League lately. The Pole started against Legia two weeks ago and should keep his place on Thursday at right-back.

Konsa should shift back into his centre-back position for the game after another impressive display against Arsenal, winning 75 per cent of his ground duels, registering four interceptions, one clearance and completing 87 per cent of his passes [SofaScore].

The Englishman should line up against Clement Lenglet at the heart of the defence with the Frenchman becoming a regular feature in the Europa Conference League and should be given the chance to continue his great form when starting.

The former Barcelona man completed 93 per cent of his passes, completed four of his seven long balls, completed 100 per cent of his dribbles and won 100 per cent of his ground duels.

Alongside him, Lucas Digne who faces a suspension against Brentford after picking up his fifth yellow against Arsenal on Sunday, should start against the Bulgarian outfit on Thursday. Alex Moreno will be gearing up for his first Premier League start and should be kept fresh for Sunday.

In midfield, Emery is expected to make wholesale changes with John McGinn, Leon Bailey, and Boubacar Kamara likely rested for Thursday.

Douglas Luiz may start in midfield again as he also faces a suspension against Brentford, a cruel blow for Emery and his team.

Moussa Diaby, Leander Dendoncker and Jacob Ramsey should replace the trio with the latter making his first start of the campaign and deservedly so after returning to full fitness.

In two Premier League appearances, before he suffered his setback, Ramsey averaged just 24 minutes per game but managed to score in the 6-1 trouncing of Brighton while also averaging 1.5 shots per game and 1.0 shots on target.

These attacking stats came on top of an 87 per cent passing accuracy, 2.0 interceptions per game, 1.0 ball recoveries, and 3.0 total duels won per game, with a 100 per cent aerial duel success rate. [Sofascore]

The Englishman needs the chance to revive his season after injury troubles and there may be no perfect opportunity than against Zrinjski on Thursday.

In attack, Emery will likely recall recent bit-part player Nicolo Zaniolo who hasn’t started for Aston Villa since the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth where he put in another poor performance.

The Italian won just 25 per cent of his ground duels, lost 100 per cent of his aerial duels, failed to register a single key pass playing alongside Ollie Watkins and failed to complete his single dribble [SofaScore].

With the pressure off a bit for Thursday, Zaniolo should start but also needs to make an impression to ensure of his long-term future at Villa Park.

Up-front, Emery will likely call upon Jhon Duran on Thursday and rest Watkins who was pretty woeful against Arsenal despite the win, completing just 42 per cent of his passes, lost possession 18 times, failed to register a key pass and failed to complete any of his two dribbles.

The Englishman like many of his regular stars should be kept fresh for Thursday, handing Duran another starting opportunity to impress his manager, and what a chance it will be for the Colombian.

In other Aston Villa, one forgotten player may be losing patience with Unai Emery as his bags could already be packed ahead of a January exit.