Aston Villa: Jacob Ramsey could start v Manchester United despite ‘nightmare’
Jacob Ramsey could be in line to start for Aston Villa in their game against Manchester United on Sunday (11 February), according to Dan Bardell.
The 22-year-old impressed off the bench for Villa in their 3-1 defeat to Chelsea in the FA Cup on Wednesday (7 February) after setting up Moussa Diaby for his side’s only goal of the game.
The English attacking midfielder hasn’t been in the best form since returning from injury, having scored just one goal and laying on one assist so far this season.
Bardell believes Ramsey could be in contention for a rare start against the Red Devils despite suffering a “nightmare” of a campaign after his injury has prevented him from reaching the levels of last season, where he was instrumental in helping the Villans qualify for the Europa Conference League.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bardell said: “I think Ramsey might have actually played himself into the team the other night against Chelsea. I think that’s the first time this season I’ve seen Ramsey on the pitch and thought he resembled something like the Ramsey of the year before.
“I think everything has been so stop-start for him, it’s been a complete nightmare season and a complete write-off so far. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him come in, but this is the first week in a while where I’ve not been able to guess the team.
“It feels like there are a couple of options because Diaby scored, maybe Tielemans could come out for him. I’m not sure whether he will go with Pau Torres from the start.
“I thought it was interesting that he didn’t get any minutes on Wednesday even though he was on the bench.
“I’d love for Torres to come back in because I think that improves Villa’s chances of winning 10-fold, but I think you’ll definitely see two or three changes against Manchester United.”
Jacob Ramsey would relish a start for Aston Villa against Man United
There is a good chance that Unai Emery will look to make changes to his starting lineup against Man United after the midweek defeat to Chelsea.
Ramsey would be a prime candidate to come in and fill one of the attacking positions after he showed signs that he is starting to get back to his best against the Blues.
As Bardell points out, centre-back Pau Torres would also provide Villa with a boost if he is named in the starting lineup, but it’s unclear what approach the Villans boss will take ahead of the clash at Villa Park.
In other Aston Villa news, Unai Emery may have contacted his former club after a Villa player exit has been confirmed.
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