Unai Emery will delight fans with Jhon Duran decision – Aston Villa XI confirmed v Bologna
Unai Emery has named his starting XI as Aston Villa host Bologna in the Champions League at Villa Park on Tuesday (22 October).
The Villans posted their confirmed lineup on X, with Emery making four changes from the side which dispatched Fulham 3-1 at Craven Cottage in the Premier League three days ago.
John McGinn and Ezri Konsa are recalled to the side after spending weeks out with injuries, as is Ian Maatsen, but the move which Villa fans will be excited with is a first start of the season for the free-scoring Jhon Duran.
Bologna have won just one match all season, with six draws from eight in Serie A thus far, and after the Rossoblu lost 2-0 to Liverpool in their last Champions League clash, confidence will be high at Villa Park.
Unai Emery makes Jhon Duran call ahead of Aston Villa v Bologna
None of the players retained in the starting XI by Emery spring any real surprises, particularly between the sticks after Emi Martinez kept out Andreas Pereira’s penalty as one of three saves at Craven Cottage [FotMob].
Aside from Konsa’s return and Maatsen displacing Lucas Digne at left-back, the back four is unchanged, with Diego Carlos and Pau Torres retaining their places at centre-back despite some nervy moments in the lead up to Fulham’s early opener.
McGinn will partner Amadou Onana and Youri Tielemans in midfield after the latter was unplayable against Fulham, creating four chances from 13 final-third passes [FotMob], as well as setting ups Ollie Watkins’ bullet header from a corner.
McGinn making his long-awaited return to the starting XI will be welcome news for Villa fans, but it’s Duran, who scored with his only attempt on goal in the 1-0 win over Bayern Munich earlier this month.
That 100 per cent shot accuracy – from an xG of just 0.01 [FotMob] – was followed up with further success as Villa closed out a famous victory, winning six duels in total against the Bavarians.
Duran starts ahead of Morgan Rogers in attacking midfield, who got their fightback underway against Fulham in a sterling display, winning 100 per cent of his dribbles, and completing four final-third passes.
In other Aston Villa news, one player on Villa’s books could also make an appearance in this game in unusual circumstances.
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