Aston Villa v Roma preview: Team news, lineups, prediction
Aston Villa have endured an uncertain summer on and off the pitch as they prepare for the new season.
The Villans have only secured one victory in five, with a 2-1 win over St. Louis City SC in the United States.
In terms of transfers, there have been minimal incomings, with Marco Bizot the latest arrival at Villa Park.
Aston Villa drew with Nashville SC in their most recent pre-season match and will want to record another win against AS Roma.
Aston Villa v Roma preview
Aston Villa will want to build some momentum at the end of their pre-season, with the Premier League campaign looming large.
Ollie Watkins and Donyell Malen were on the scoresheet in Villa’s 2-2 draw with Nashville; Watkins has been linked with a move to Man United.
Unai Emery’s side have lost to Walsall and Hansa Rostock, while they have drawn with Eintracht Frankfurt.
| Date | Result |
| 16 July | Walsall 1-0 Villa |
| 19 July | Hansa Rostock 3-1 Villa |
| 27 July | Eintracht Frankfurt 2-2 Villa |
| 31 July | St. Louis SC 2-1 Villa |
| 2 August | Nashville 2-2 Villa |
As for Roma, they have won all three of their pre-season games without conceding a goal after victories over Kaiserslautern, AS Cannes and RC Lens.
Team news
Ross Barkley and Andres Garcia have not featured in pre-season and are undergoing rehabilitation.
The expectation is that the pair will not feature against Roma, with Barkley recovering from a calf issue which followed an earlier knee problem.
New Aston Villa signing Zepiqueno Redmond and Lewis Dobbin were absent from the US tour and are unlikely to feature against the Serie A outfit.
However, Emery has a host of available first-team players, with Emi Martinez, Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans all set to feature.
Predicted lineups
Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Kamara, Tielemans, Malen, Rogers, Ramsey, Watkins
Roma: Svilar, Celik, Mancini, Ndicka, Wesley, Kone, El Aynaoui, Angelino, Soule, Baldanzi, Ferguson
Prediction: Aston Villa 1-1 Roma
While the form guide suggests Roma will be victorious at the Bescot Stadium, Villa will be expected to step up their performances.
All eyes will be on Evan Ferguson, who completed a remarkable loan switch from Brighton to Roma this summer.
The Republic of Ireland international has a point to prove and will want to get on the scoresheet against English opponents.
Although it is a tough match to call, a 1-1 draw seems like a fair prediction given the strength of both sides.
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