Marcus Rashford debut, three changes – Aston Villa predicted XI v Tottenham
Marcus Rashford could make his debut for Aston Villa in their FA Cup game against Tottenham on Sunday.
Villa will look to bounce back from their 2-0 defeat against Wolves when they host Ange Postecoglou and Co at home in the fourth round of the FA Cup on 9 February.
Rashford, one of three players who have joined the Birmingham-based club since their last game, could be in line to lead the line after Ollie Watkins was forced off the pitch due to an injury at Molineux.
This could also give Unai Emery the opportunity to hand Donyell Malen his full debut after his arrival from Borussia Dortmund in January, while Amadou Onana is also poised to start after returning from an injury against Wolves.
That means Jacob Ramsey and Lamare Bogarde could drop out of the starting line-up along with Watkins.
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Robin Olsen started in Aston Villa’s 2-1 win against West Ham United in the third round of the FA Cup in January, but Martinez is likely to be between the sticks on this occasion, especially with two of Emery’s regular centre-backs unavailable.
Boubacar Kamara is expected to continue as a stop-gap central defender alongside Ezri Konsa in Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres’ absences [Premier Injuries]. The game against Wolves did not go according to plan for the Frenchman as he played out of position, but he nevertheless completed the most passes (78) at Molineux with 98 per cent accuracy, as per FotMob.
Deadline day signing Axel Disasi will not feature as he is cup-tied.
Emery handed winter arrival, Andres Garcia his first start against the Wanderers, but hooked him at half-time with the visitors already trailing by a goal. The Spaniard could be given another chance against Spurs.
Lucas Digne met the same fate as Garcia last weekend. However, his experience could be needed to help out Kamara on the left side of the defence against Spurs’ attack. The 31-year-old won two of his three ground duels against Wolves (67 per cent) and registered three recoveries and clearances each.
Youri Tielemans was one of Villa’s better players against Wolves, completing 77 of his 90 passes and registering a shot on target. He also won all three of his aerial duels, while emerging victorious in 50 per cent of six ground duels.
Onana, who missed three games due to an injury before returning as a substitute at the Molineux, registered 48 touches and played four passes into the final third that day. Emery could, therefore, opt for a Belgian double-pivot against Postecoglou’s side.
John McGinn and Morgan Rogers are likely to keep their place in the starting XI as Aston Villa look to progress further in the FA Cup.
While Leon Bailey is available, Emery might choose to play Malen on the right-hand side. The Dutchman registered two shots on target after coming on as a second-half substitute against Vitor Pereira’s side.
This means Ramsey, who has started six of Villa’s eight games since January and completed eight of his 10 passes (80 per cent) against Wolves, may drop out.
Watkins was forced off due to an injury on Saturday (1 February), meaning Rashford could go straight into the line-up. The Manchester United loanee has not played a game since the Red Devils’ 2-1 UEFA Champions League win against Viktoria Plzen on 12 December and a cup tie like this would be best suited to get him up to speed.
In other Aston Villa news, Milan Skriniar has sent a three-word message after the Villans confirmed a late-night transfer.
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