Emery ‘makes Ian Maatsen blunder’ as Aston Villa XI confirmed v Bournemouth
Unai Emery has made four changes to his Aston Villa line-up as they face Fulham at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday.
The Villans will be looking to build on their victory over Fulham last weekend when they lock horns with Bournemouth in the Premier League on 10 May.
With Aston Villa sitting three points and two places behind a Champions League qualification spot, Emery has no more room for error in the remaining three games.
Therefore, it should not come as a surprise that the Spanish tactician has named a strong starting line-up to face Andoni Iraola’s side.
Emery makes Maatsen error
Aston Villa are without Youri Tielemans after he picked up a hamstring injury ahead of the trip to the Vitality Stadium.
The Belgium international is guaranteed to be a huge miss for the Birmingham-based club, as he was one of their best players against Fulham.
Not only did the midfielder score the winner against Marco Silva’s side, but he also won five of his seven ground duels [FotMob].
He also completed 40 of his 53 passes with 75 per cent accuracy, with 10 of those passes played into the final third.
However, Tielemans is not the only player who has dropped out of Aston Villa’s starting line-up, as Pau Torres, Ian Maatsen and John McGinn have had the same fate.
While the decision to axe Torres can be justified, as he lost all seven of his duels against Fulham, the same is not true about Maatsen.
The left-back produced a fine performance against the Cottagers, completing 21 of his 25 passes with 84 per cent accuracy.
He also won both the tackles he attempted (100 per cent) while also winning four of his eight duels.
This means Tyrone Mings, Lucas Digne, Amadou Onana and Jacob Ramsey have come into Emery’s starting line-up.
Aston Villa XI v Bournemouth
Emiliano Martinez is being heavily linked with a move away from Villa Park ahead of the summer, but continues in goal for Emery’s side for the time being.
Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Mings and Digne form the back four, with Boubacar Kamara and Onana playing in a double pivot and providing ample protection.
| Team | Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goal Difference | Points | Form |
| 7. Aston Villa | 35 | 17 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 60 | WWWLW |
| 8. Bournemouth | 35 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 53 | DWDDW |
Meanwhile, Morgan Rogers and Ramsey provide width, as Marco Asensio starts in an advanced midfield position.
Lastly, Ollie Watkins will lead the line for Aston Villa, with Marcus Rashford seemingly sidelined for the rest of the season.