Emery axes Watkins after Selhurst scenes – Aston Villa predicted XI v Cardiff
Unai Emery could make seven changes to his Aston Villa side to face Cardiff City on Friday with Ollie Watkins potentially set to miss out.
The Villans return to FA Cup action on 28 February, just three days after falling to a frustrating 4-1 defeat away to Crystal Palace.
Despite a Morgan Rogers equaliser in the first half, the travelling side were unable to keep the Eagles out after the half-time interval.
It is safe to say that the Spanish head coach was fuming after the full-time whistle and will be desperate for change against Championship opposition which could see him make a raft of changes.
Watkins and Emi Martinez axed for Aston Villa v Cardiff City
The defeat against Oliver Glasner’s side almost hinged directly as Martinez came off and was replaced by Robin Olsen. The Swede went on to concede while making no saves but could still be set to start against Cardiff given his status as the number two keeper at Villa Park.
Ahead of the ex-Roma man, Emery could make a double change by introducing Tyrone Mings and Ian Maatsen back into the side in place of the cup-tied Axel Disasi and Lucas Digne.
This duo could be set to join Andres Garcia and Lamare Bogarde with the latter keeping his place after maintaining a 94 per cent pass accuracy last time out [FotMob].
The base of midfield could be in line to remain the same as Emery deals with injury issues, this could see Youri Tielemans and John McGinn start once again. The central pairing could be added to by Marco Asensio, in place of Rogers, after he came on late in the day against the Eagles.
Two changes could be utilised on the flanks with Leon Bailey and Marcus Rashford with Jacob Ramsey potentially set to drop out after losing six duels and making an error leading to a goal at Selhurst Park.
Up front, Donyell Malen could be handed a deserved start in place of Watkins who maintained a zero per cent dribble success against Palace while also failing to get on the scoresheet.
Emery needs a positive result against Cardiff City
It was bizarre to see a tactical change be made against Glasner’s side but now Emery needs to go back to basics to help secure a result against a second-tier side.
| Stat | Crystal Palace | Aston Villa |
| Expected goals | 4.31 | 0.38 |
| Touches in opposition penalty area | 29 | 20 |
| Shots | 19 | 6 |
| Tackles won | 21 | 4 |
Cardiff will come to Villa Park and will be hopeful of securing a miracle in the FA Cup but the Villans can’t let that happen.
There is so much quality available to the B6 club, even after making so many changes, that they can’t make a fool out of themselves and fall to defeat against the Bluebirds.
The Villans need to move on from the result, performance and the Watkins and Rogers controversy against Crystal Palace and move on with a firm and positive result at Villa Park.