Aston Villa: Unai Emery to hand Morgan Rogers European debut in new Moussa Diaby twist v Ajax
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery could be set to hand Morgan Rogers his European debut ahead of Moussa Diaby in Villa’s Europa Conference League clash with Ajax, according to Alan Hutton.
Emery’s side face the Eredivisie giants in the first leg of their round of 16 clash at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Thursday (7 March) as they look to carry their impressive form in the Premier League into the European competition.
Villa will have to make do without Jacob Ramsey however after the midfielder left the field of play in the first half of the win over Luton Town at Kenilworth Road, with Emery confirming the 22-year-old won’t be fit to face Ajax.
While many have suggested Diaby should return to the fold following his impressive cameo against Luton, Hutton thinks Emery may hand Rogers a first start in claret and blue, despite subbing him on and off against the Hatters.
“It’s an interesting one because he came on and then he went back off,” Hutton told Villa News.
“I don’t think that will have helped his confidence. I know the manager was trying something different because it was very tight towards the end of the game and he was trying to push for the win.
“He had a really good effort on goal and was unlucky. I do think there are opportunities for him to start, it will be interesting to see who he brings in because Diaby usually starts on the other side.
“He might start and I think it would be a great opportunity for him. They’ve got difficult games coming up with Ajax, Spurs and Ajax so he’ll need his full squad so I’d like to think at some stage he’ll get that opportunity to show everyone what he’s capable of.”
Who is Unai Emery starting for Aston Villa against Ajax in the Europa Conference League?
During the group stages of the Europa Conference League, Emery often used the competition as an opportunity to hand players further down the pecking order some valuable first-team minutes and it remains to be seen whether he’ll do the same in the knockouts.
Rogers has had to wait to make his impact at Villa Park following his January move from Middlesbrough, but Ramsey’s latest injury issue may have opened the door for him to step into the fold and show Emery what he’s all about.
Hopefully, Villa will be able to bring a lead back to England no matter who Emery names in his starting XI on Thursday night. It won’t be an easy clash, but the Villans have shown that they can beat anybody already this season.
In other Aston Villa news, Hutton has suggested that Emery faces a selection dilemma for Thursday night’s clash with Ajax
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