Aston Villa: Aston Villa young duo should step up as first-team suspension worry emerges
John McGinn and Moussa Diaby are both one yellow card away from a one-match ban in the Conference League – but Tim Iroegbunam and Morgan Rogers could step up in their places if needed.
Skipper McGinn was booked twice in the group stages, as was Diaby, and now any misdemeanours in their quarter-final first-leg clash with Lille could see Unai Emery forced to do without one or both for the decisive second contest. Matty Cash finds himself in the same position, but is likely to be absent due to injury.
However, Emery has recently demonstrated his faith in young pair Rogers, 21, and Iroegbunam, 20 – and the duo could be needed to cover for the potential absences of either McGinn or Diaby.
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has faith in youth
Rogers has not taken long to establish himself as a first-team regular since arriving from Middlesbrough in January.
The versatile attacker has started each of the club’s last four Premier League games and also featured from the first whistle in both clashes with Ajax.
In fact, the 21-year-old got off the mark for his new side in his last appearance in the 3-3 draw with Brentford, netting his team’s second goal of the game.
Iroegbunam has enjoyed significantly less first-team exposure than his older counterpart, but Emery has undeniably shown his faith in the young midfielder by starting him in two of Villa’s biggest games of the season – away at Ajax and Manchester City.
Given Rogers’ recent run in the starting line-up, it may be that he will play a significant role across the two legs against Lille regardless of Diaby’s suspension status, with the Frenchman in and out of the side lately – though he produced a match-winning display in Villa’s last league victory against Wolves, scoring one goal and assisting the other in the 2-0 win.
And with Youri Tielemans competing for a place in midfield, it may be that Emery turns to the Belgian to partner Douglas Luiz rather than the raw Iroegbunam should McGinn be absent – but given the magnitude of the games in which the 20-year-old has been trusted, do not be surprised if the talented youngster has a significant part to play, whether that be from the start or the bench.
In other Aston Villa news, Rio Ferdinand has revealed his amazement at the “off the charts” performances of a Villa star.
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