Jhon Duran surprise on cards — Aston Villa predicted XI v RB Leipzig
Aston Villa could make three changes to their starting lineup against RB Leipzig, with Unai Emery set to decide between Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran.
The Villans face the Bundesliga outfit on Tuesday [10 December] in the Champions League as they look to continue their winning run.
Emery finally got the Lions back on track in the Premier League after the 3-1 win over Brentford, followed by the 1-0 victory at Villa Park over Southampton on Saturday [7 December].
Duran started up top for Villans against Russell Martin’s side and scored the only goal in the first half, recording an xG of 0.65, as per FotMob.
The Colombian was brilliant for 58 minutes, completing 79 per cent of his passes and contributing defensively with two tackles, one recovery and three duels — albeit the striker did miss one big opportunity.
Leon Bailey was also massive, completing 100 per cent of his passes, but he was hooked off before the hour mark after picking up an injury, and it’s unlikely the Jamaican will play a part against Leipzig.
Unai Emery to drop Jhon Duran for Aston Villa against RB Leipzig
Duran made a claim to start against the German side after finding the back of the net against the Saints, and while his dropping will be brutal, Emery has relied on Watkins and will do so again at the Red Bull Arena.
The England international replaced the Colombian on Saturday, creating one chance while he was on the pitch and recorded a combined xG and xA of 0.78.
Jaden Philogene will likely replace Bailey in the starting lineup, although the Englishman was poor in the 1-0 win at Villa Park, completing just 33 per cent of his dribbles and was dispossessed once.
Lucas Digne will be the last of Emery’s rotations, and the Frenchman made a great cameo off the bench against Southampton, making three passes into the final third and creating two chances.
The left-back will slot in at the back alongside Emi Martinez, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres and Diego Carlos, with Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara completing the midfield ahead of them.
The Lions have a packed schedule in the coming weeks but need to ensure qualification to the knockout rounds of the Champions League after making a good start in the competition.
In other Aston Villa news, Louie Barry could be set to join a Midlands rival in January.
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