Aston Villa: Dan Bardell makes ‘huge’ team news admission as two changes predicted v Tottenham
Morgan Rogers could be set to start for Aston Villa in the “huge game” against Tottenham on Sunday (10 March), according to Dan Bardell.
The 21-year-old winger is yet to start in the Premier League for Villa since making his move from Middlesbrough in the January transfer window, but he was named in the lineup for the 0-0 draw against Ajax in the Europa Conference League on Thursday (7 March).
Unai Emery will be looking for his side to pick up a victory against fifth-placed Spurs in a game that could go a long way towards securing their place in the Champions League for next season.
Bardell expects the Spaniard to make two changes, with John McGinn and Leon Bailey returning to the starting lineup in place of Tim Iroegbunam and Moussa Diaby at Villa Park.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bardell said: “I think we got a bit of an idea into how he’s going to set up in terms of the back four against Ajax.
“I certainly expect it to be Konsa, Lenglet and Pau Torres lining up, but then it’s a toss-up between Digne and Moreno.
“I think Lucas Digne has been excellent this season actually. I wasn’t his biggest fan at the start of the season and, if he’d have gone, I wouldn’t have been too upset. I still think he will go in the summer, but I think he’s acquitted himself really well this season, been really consistent and scored a goal last week.
“McGinn will come in Iroegbunam, Bailey will come back in on the right-hand side for Diaby. We haven’t got an array of options at the moment, there are not many changes we can make.
“It’s going to be a huge game for Morgan Rogers because I think he probably has to start on the left in this one.
“I’m really excited for the game. I think it’s going to be such a good game between two brilliant teams with two brilliant managers, who both just get the football club and the fanbase.
“I think Tottenham are a fascinating watch this season, the way they operate with their fullbacks is really unique.
“What I like in these big games is that Villa always set up in the same formation, but you always see something different on the ball, there are always some subtle changes to the way they play. Emery sometimes sends them out to go all out in the first 15 minutes and try and get an early goal.
“It’s a huge game. If Villa can win this, they are well on their way to Champions League football, which is just absolutely incredible.”
Aston Villa could earn massive three points against Tottenham
This is certainly up there amongst the biggest games of the season for Villa as it’s a great opportunity to cement their place in the top four against a side sitting just one place behind them in the table.
While Emery will be aware of the threats Tottenham possess, he will be confident his side can get the job done with the backing of the Villa Park faithful behind them.
It’s likely to be a tactical battle between the two managers as they will both know this game could have a huge say in which competition their side will be playing in next season.
In other Aston Villa news, a journalist has mooted a high-profile exit after a £110million+ development has emerged.
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