Unai Emery has just made his feelings clear on two new Aston Villa stars with decision vs Go Ahead Eagles
Aston Villa have confirmed their starting line-up for Thursday’s Europa League clash with Go Ahead Eagles.
Unai Emery confirmed Lucas Digne would be missing against Go Ahead Eagles, with the Frenchman replaced in the line-up by Ian Maatsen.
The full-back picked up an injury on Sunday as the Villans beat Tottenham 2-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Emi Buendia had been expected to start against Go Ahead Eagles, and he does, with the midfielder hoping to build on his terrific goal in London.
Villa are the favourites to beat GA Eagles, with Emery hoping his side can continue their perfect record in the Europa League this season so far.
Unai Emery makes seven changes vs Go Ahead Eagles
Harvey Elliott has struggled to adapt to life at Villa. The England youth international arrived on loan from Liverpool in the summer, with the deal including an obligation to buy next summer.
But so far, Emery has shown no willingness to give the 22-year-old a chance to break into the starting line-up.
| Harvey Elliott | Vs Brentford (A) |
| Minutes played | 67 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Chances created | 1 |
| Accurate passes | 29/32 |
| Recoveries | 4 |
Elliott has played just four minutes of football across the last three games, despite scoring in his full debut against Brentford in the Carabao Cup.
It was a standout display from the midfielder, which saw him create a chance and complete four recoveries, alongside scoring, but it has been followed by just 81 minutes of football across all competitions since.
And the shunning has continued against Go Ahead Eagles, with Elliott left on the bench in favour of Evann Guessand, Emi Buendia, and Jadon Sancho.
Victor Lindelof has also come in for Matty Cash, with Tyrone Mings and Lamare Bogarde starting in place of Ezri Konsa and Boubacar Kamara.
Jadon Sancho gets his chance for Villa
Fellow summer signing Sancho has not received the same treatment as Elliott and has been brought in from the cold by Emery.
The winger sat on the bench against Fulham and Tottenham, but now finally has a chance to impress the Spaniard against Go Ahead Eagles.
Sancho is yet to score for Villa, but did impress off the bench against Bologna in Villa’s first Europa League fixture.
The winger completed 100 per cent of his passes against the Italian team, created a chance, and took a shot in an energetic display.
The 25-year-old also completed a dribble and two recoveries, demonstrating his ability to make an impact.
Sancho had also started against Brentford, but could not leave an impression in the same way Elliott did, which raises questions over the treatment of both players.
Elliott will hope to make it off the bench, at least, but his failure to secure Emery’s favour can only bode trouble behind the scenes.
Either way, Emery has made his current feelings known on both.
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