Unai Emery to drop Douglas Luiz, three changes – Aston Villa predicted XI v Crystal Palace
Unai Emery could drop Douglas Luiz and Moussa Diaby while gifting Kaine Kesler-Hayden with a first Aston Villa start ahead of the last game of the Premier League season v Crystal Palace.
After a 3-3 draw to Liverpool and Tottenham falling to defeat against Manchester City, the Villans have secured Champions League qualification.
Now Villa travel to Selhurst Park knowing their league finish is secured but Emery will be keen to finish with three points.
There is a chance the Spaniard may allow Joe Gauci to make his Premier League debut. Despite his own goal against Liverpool, Emi Martinez could keep his place in the starting XI.
Kaine Kesler-Hayden may be handed his first Villa start after some positive signs off the bench. His involvement could see Diego Carlos dropped to the bench after failing to win a tackle and losing eight duels [FotMob] on Monday (13 May).
In the centre of defence, Ezri Konsa and Pau Torres could line up alongside each other as the Englishman won 81 per cent of his duels playing as a right-back against Liverpool [FotMob].
On the left-hand side of defence, Lucas Digne may keep his starting role despite completing 33 per cent of long balls at Villa Park last time around [FotMob].
Across the midfield, John McGinn and Youri Tielemans can be hopeful of keeping their starting XI roles after a great showing in the 3-3 draw where the latter scored.
Douglas Luiz and Moussa Diaby set to be dropped for Aston Villa
Douglas Luiz has looked nervy in recent weeks and may be deserving of being dropped after completing just one dribble against Liverpool [FotMob]. This could see Tim Ireogbunam get a start for the first time since early April.
Leon Bailey has performed well recently but has been struggling with a knee injury. 71 per cent dribble success and three chances created against Liverpool summed up his game [FotMob]. Emery may not risk his star and could gift Omari Kellyman a start but a substitute role for the teenager may be more likely.
Ollie Watkins could start once again as he goes in search of his 20th Premier League goal of the season. He grabbed yet another assist last time out but even with 0.54 xG [FotMob], he couldn’t get that elusive goal.
Diaby registered a shot accuracy of 33 per cent shot accuracy up against Alisson including a chance worth 0.29 xG on its own in the first half [FotMob]. Given that he came off the bench to level the game, Jhon Duran could be hopeful of a start on the final day.
In other Aston Villa news, Unai Emery could activate Michael Olise release clause at Crystal Palace in a shock summer transfer.
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