Unai Emery to axe Tyrone Mings after what happened – Aston Villa predicted XI v Liverpool
Unai Emery could drop Tyrone Mings straight after bringing him back for Aston Villa as his side make the trip to Liverpool.
Emery’s side are without a win in four, losing their last three, and head to Anfield to take on the league leaders as considerable underdogs on Saturday night [9 November].
Mings made his long-awaited return on Wednesday for the 1-0 defeat in Belgium against Club Brugge [6 November], but was involved in a highly controversial penalty incident which proved costly, and won just 20% of his total duels as he was eased back in [Sofascore].
Dropped in Mings’ place was Pau Torres who had a day to forget last Sunday [3 November] in the 4-1 defeat by Tottenham, responsible for more than his fair share of the defeat with regular defensive lapses.
Usually adept with his passing range from the back, he kept up just a 43% long ball success towards his midfield [Fotmob].
Emery’s tendency to chop and change his squad to juggle multiple competitions means Torres along with Lucas Digne could be given the nod to return, with Mings and Ian Maatsen back on the bench.
Matty Cash’s injury sustained at Spurs means Ezri Konsa will likely deputise at right-back again with Diego Carlos at centre-half, although young duo Kosta Nedeljkovic and Lamare Bogarde are waiting in the wings.
Emi Martinez, who made six saves [Fotmob] despite failing to keep out Brugge’s spot-kick in midweek, is to remain between the sticks.
Unai Emery could make four changes for Aston Villa at Anfield
With Torres and Digne anticipated for returns to the starting XI, Emery’s alterations will not stop there.
Boubacar Kamara is another to have been slowly reintegrated back into the side similarly to Mings, playing the full game in Europe on Wednesday with a 91% pass accuracy and six defensive recoveries [Fotmob].
However, two games in 72 hours may be a stretch and Amadou Onana will be needed alongside Youri Tielemans at Anfield following an excellent start to life at Villa Park, with John McGinn maintaining his role towards the right-hand side.
Morgan Rogers had an off night out on the flank in the week with just a 25% duel success rate and a marginally improved 33% execution of his dribbling. However, he has been integral for Emery and should keep his place – albeit more centrally.
However, Jacob Ramsey should replace Leon Bailey back in the XI whose five cross attempts came to no avail.
Ollie Watkins will again be entrusted with the task of breaching the Premier League’s strongest defence, who have shipped just six all season, while Jhon Duran will be, as ever, the primary substitute option going forward.
The Colombian played 32 minutes in Brugge but touched the ball just eight times, with one of just two pass attempts finding a Villa man.
In other Aston Villa news, the return of a former player as an academy coach has gone down very well.
For more Aston Villa news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.