Aston Villa predicted XI vs Burnley – Emi Buendia to keep place as summer signing dropped
Aston Villa will look to make it four consecutive victories before the international break when they play Burnley on Sunday.
Goals from Emi Buendia and John McGinn saw Villa beat Feyenoord 2-0 on Thursday to build on a week that saw Unai Emery‘s team start to recover.
It had been a dismal start to the season, with the Villans failing to win any of their opening six games, whilst scoring just two goals.
But with Emery having been under huge pressure at Villa, the team look to have finally kicked into gear.
Villa are massive favourites to beat Burnley, with the Clarets facing problems of their own since their promotion to the Premier League.
Unai Emery to make three changes
Emi Martinez was replaced by Marco Bizot in the Villa line-up to take on Feyenoord, after the Argentine felt something in his calf during the warm-up.
Despite being the subject of such a late change, Bizot responded fantastically and was credited by his manager after the match.
But should Martinez‘s injury not be enough to keep him out of Sunday’s game, the Dutchman is likely to drop back to the bench against Burnley.
Tyrone Mings‘ injury will see Pau Torres and Ezri Konsa continue in the centre of defence, with Matty Cash to keep his place on the right.
Ian Maatsen started on Thursday, but the 23-year-old will likely drop back to the bench in place of Lucas Digne.
Boubacar Kamara and McGinn were exceptional against Feyenoord, and will likely start against Burnley given the continued absence of Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana.
Buendia has been the story of the season so far for Villa, and the midfielder is expected to keep his place alongside Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins in attack.
Donyell Malen impressed off the bench against Feyenoord, and could be handed the start in place of Evann Guessand, who featured for the entire game.
Emi Buendia continues to impress for Villa
It would have been difficult for any Villa fan to see Buendia gaining any importance in Emery’s squad this season.
The midfielder could not get a look-in last season and was sent out on loan to Bayer Leverkusen for the second half of the campaign.
| Emi Buendia | Vs Feyenoord (A) |
| Minutes played | 71 |
| Accurate passes | 22/26 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Chances created | 1 |
| Tackles | 3 |
| Duels won | 6 |
But this season’s early problems have seen the Argentine given an opportunity, and he has grabbed it with both hands.
Buendia was superb again on Thursday, and will look to continue his personal resurgence against Burnley on Sunday.
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