Unai Emery to regret Ollie Watkins call as Aston Villa starting XI named to face Bournemouth
Aston Villa have named their starting XI to face Bournemouth on Saturday.
Villa travel for a clash with Bournemouth in the hope of turning their form around after struggles at Villa Park in recent weeks.
Unai Emery couldn’t believe it when his Villa side lost 1-0 to 10-man Brentford last time around after falling to defeat against Everton two weeks prior.
There was little positivity to take after losing to the Bees, although Douglas Luiz and Tammy Abraham put in a positive shift against Brentford on their second debuts.
They will be hoping to step up once more against Bournemouth, although the fitness of Ollie Watkins may represent a concern in B6.
Aston Villa name starting XI to face Bournemouth
Injuries have taken their toll on Villa, so there are increasingly limited options for Emery to choose from each week at the moment.
As a result, it is little surprise to see Emi Martinez starting between the sticks once more, even after he made just one save last time out.
The Argentine is joined by a changed back four, with Matty Cash and Ezri Konsa keeping their places as Pau Torres has been replaced by Tyrone Mings after his error leading to a goal against Brentford.
Ian Maatsen is the other alteration at the back, with Lucas Digne coming in from the start.
Lamare Bogarde came off at half-time at Villa Park and, on this occasion, has dropped out and been replaced by Amadou Onana alongside Douglas Luiz.
There are no changes in the attacking midfield three, with Jadon Sancho keeping his place alongside Morgan Rogers and Emi Buendia after his two successful dribbles at Villa Park.
Up top, Emery has opted to go back to his main man, with Watkins handed the start ahead of Abraham, even after his recent injury concerns.
Watkins fitness cause for concern against Bournemouth
Watkins has a hugely positive record against Bournemouth, having scored two and assisted four in his seven Premier League outings.
The England international scored at the Vitality last season to become Villa’s all-time Premier League scorer, so he certainly has history.
His injury represents a worry, so starting him seems like a risk, whereas bringing him off the bench may not give him time to make a difference.
There are pros and cons to each argument, but after scoring against Newcastle United in his last league showing, he’ll want to do so again on the road.
He maintained a 75 per cent shot accuracy at St James’, and that sort of finishing could trouble the Cherries even more.