Douglas Luiz set for Unai Emery snub as Aston Villa insider shares team news prediction v Lille
Bryan King believes Unai Emery should start the same team against Lille which will play against Bournemouth on the weekend.
The ex-Villa scout feels it is important that Emery avoids making too many changes as he takes his Villa side to the Stade-Pierre Mauroy on Thursday (18 April) to play for a place in the UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final.
Aston Villa currently lead 2-1 on aggregate following their victory over Lille at Villa Park last Thursday (11 April) and will look to build some further momentum ahead of the visit of Bournemouth on Sunday (21 April).
Douglas Luiz is suspended for the visit of the Cherries but is available to play in France on Thursday.
However, King – speaking exclusively to Villa News – feels that Emery should maintain some consistency.
“If I was Emery, I would keep my side the same against Lille as it is going to be on the weekend against Bournemouth, which means leaving Luiz out,” said the former scout.
“If he wants to experiment slightly then maybe one or two changes won’t hurt, but he will want to get as far as he can in the Europa Conference League, and consistency is important.
“The likes of Ollie Watkins and Emi Martinez, key players, should be playing against Lille. If those players are fit, they will want to play.”
Should Douglas Luiz start for Aston Villa against Lille?
Villa recorded one of the most impressive victories of their incredible season so far by beating title-chasing Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates on Sunday (14 April).
Luiz was absent from that clash, and after the performance of the players who were on the pitch, confidence among the group will be at an all-time high.
Therefore, as key as Luiz has been this season, Emery might be wise to go with an unchanged team against Lille to avoid causing any disruption among the squad.
Luiz can always come on if needed but after the display from Villa’s midfielders against the Gunners, it would be harsh to make any big changes.
In other Aston Villa news, agent trouble has been mooted after Wilfred Ndidi transfer links emerged.
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