Unai Emery axes Marco Asensio in six changes – Aston Villa predicted XI v PSG
Unai Emery could make six changes to his Aston Villa side to face PSG on Wednesday, with Marco Asensio potentially set to drop to the bench.
The Villans are set to travel to the French capital in the Champions League quarter-final just four days after their 2-1 win against Nottingham Forest.
Goals from Morgan Rogers and Donyell Malen proved to be the difference against the Reds as Villa made it seven consecutive wins in all competitions.
Now, Emery’s side are preparing for a return to European action with the hope of securing a huge scalp against the Parisians.
This could see the B6 club utilise a whole host of changes as the Spanish head coach looks to get one over on Luis Enrique at the Parc Des Princes.
Asensio axed for Aston Villa v PSG
The Villans have been so good in recent weeks, going unbeaten since late February, making progress in three different competitions.
Emi Martinez has played a key role in this success and he looks set to start once again after making two saves in his last outing at Villa Park [FotMob].
Ahead of him, Axel Disasi could be set to keep his place at right back, ahead of Andres Garcia who isn’t registered in the squad, after winning 100 per cent of his five duels against Forest.
The Frenchman could be joined by Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres and Lucas Digne at the back with Tyrone Mings and Ian Maatsen potentially set to be dropped despite the latter picking up an assist in B6.
| Stat | Ian Maatsen v Nottingham Forest |
| Assists | 1 |
| Chances created | 1 |
| Dribble completion (%) | 100 |
| Defensive actions | 6 |
At the base of midfield, Boubacar Kamara could come back in alongside Youri Tielemans who assisted Rogers with one of his four successful long balls in his last outing.
In the forward line, Asensio could be set to drop to the bench after having just 50 per cent of shots on target from the start against the Reds.
Malen is also absent from the Champions League squad, and as a result, Marcus Rashford could come in to join Rogers on the flanks after his goal and nine duel wins while completing three dribbles in yet another stellar performance.
Up front, Emery could once again trust Ollie Watkins despite him having just nine touches while losing two duels at Villa Park. He needs to show a marked improvement against PSG if he wants to keep his place.
Aston Villa must shut PSG out in first leg
Emery is as experienced as they come in European football, and he will know how important a positive result is against the Parisians.
If the Villans can travel to the Parc Des Princes and keep a clean sheet or keep PSG out for the majority of the clash, it will make for an interesting second leg.
Villa have proven that they can park the bus and play on the counter attack to excellent effect as they did against Bayern Munich earlier in the campaign.
The B6 club will be keen to replicate that performance in the quarter-final regardless of the qualities that the Ligue 1 giants possess.