Youri Tielemans axed in three changes – Aston Villa predicted XI v Newcastle
Unai Emery could make three changes to his Aston Villa side when they host Brighton on Monday after their defeat to Newcastle United.
Youri Tielemans could be axed from the starting XI that suffered a 3-0 loss to Newcastle on Boxing Day, which saw the Villans reduced to 10 men leaving space for Leon Bailey to return.
Jhon Duran saw red for a perceived moment of violent conduct, giving him a three-match ban that was recently upheld by the FA so he will miss out at Villa Park on 30 December with Ollie Watkins surely set to return to the starting lineup.
Villa will also be without Matty Cash after his early booking in the clash against the Magpies earned him a one-match ban as a result of having accumulated five yellow cards, with Diego Carlos potentially being his replacement that will see a slight re shuffle at the back.
Youri Tielemans could be dropped for Aston Villa
Emi Martinez could do little with the goals conceded in the North East on Boxing Day having actually prevented 0.31 goals with his four saves made in the encounter (FotMob).
The first guaranteed change for Villa will be in defence with Cash suspended during what was a poor performance for the full-back having recorded a 0 per cent cross accuracy before his eventual hooking in the 69th minute.
Carlos could be drafted back into the starting 11 with Ezri Konza shifting over to the right-back spot after recording a 93 per cent pass accuracy against the Magpies.
Pau Torres and Lucas Digne should retain their place in the XI despite the latter’s 10 per cent cross accuracy in the latest defeat.
Boubacar Kamara was generally solid on Boxing Day, winning five of his six defensive ground duels in midfield and he will likely be partnered by Amadou Onana once again after the Belgian lost just two of his duels.
Tielemans played a slightly advanced role against Newcastle but failed to execute it having failed to create a single chance, with an xA (expected assists) of just 0.02 and winning just 43 per cent of his ground duels.
John McGinn could move back centrally after his dull showing out wide saw him complete just 69 per cent of his passes which could allow space for Bailey to make a return.
Morgan Rogers completed 75 per cent of his attempted dribbles against Eddie Howe’s side and his spot in the team comes under little question.
After Duran’s dismissal for a perceived stamp on Fabian Schar, Emery will be forced into an attacking change and it looks almost nailed on that Watkins will be brought back into the side despite failing to get off a shot in the second half on Boxing Day.
In other Aston Villa news, Monchi hit out at the FA for what happened in the last few days.
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