England predicted XI v Albania: Aston Villa star snubbed for ex-Birmingham man
Thomas Tuchel has three Aston Villa players to pick from when he names his debut England team against Albania on Thursday.
Unai Emery has three representatives looking to impress under Tuchel’s tutelage in the German’s first camp as Three Lions boss, with Ezri Konsa, Morgan Rogers and Marcus Rashford all selected.
With Ollie Watkins left out after a knock but Rashford receiving a recall following his improved form since arriving at Villa Park from Manchester United, the trifecta will all be keen to feature against Albania.
Konsa is the only member of Villa’s trio to have been selected in last summer’s Euro 2024 squad, but with the World Cup little over a year away, he, Rogers and Rashford are all hoping for a spot on the plane.
Morgan Rogers set for England snub despite Aston Villa displays
Though Tuchel isn’t expected to use interim manager Lee Carsley’s last squad in November as a basis for Thursday’s side, it remains to be seen if he’ll call upon any of his three Villans to start against Albania.
Of the 11 starters and five substitutes to feature against the Republic of Ireland last time out, Morgan Rogers was Villa’s only representative, coming off the bench on 75 minutes to win his second cap.
| Player | Appearances | Starts | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards |
| Ezri Konsa | 37 | 37 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Marcus Rashford | 9 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Morgan Rogers | 41 | 40 | 12 | 7 | 10 |
Rogers’ form since November has only gone from strength to strength for Aston Villa, but with Jude Bellingham and Anthony Gordon likely to be preferred behind Harry Kane, he’s set to be benched again.
Rashford’s recall to the 26-man squad after missing out on Euro 2024 likely won’t extend to a starting berth if Tuchel lines up with the 3-4-2-1 setup he used at Chelsea, with Bellingham taking his place too.
Ezri Konsa can nail down England spot under Thomas Tuchel
While the sheer level of competition in the attacking positions will surely consign Rogers and Rashford to the bench at first, it’s a different story at the back – and that’s good news for Aston Villa lynchpin Konsa.
The 27-year-old’s nine caps make him the second-most experienced natural centre-back in Tuchel’s squad, and he’s surely set to take one of the berths, likely on the right, if the German uses a back three.
Furthermore, Konsa’s ability to slot in at right-back – as he’s done on several occasions for Villa this term – make him a shoe-in for either defensive setup, meaning a regular place in Tuchel’s XI could beckon.