‘Crazy’ Marcus Rashford dilemma as Unai Emery axes ‘troubled’ new signing – Aston Villa predicted XI v Chelsea
‘Crazy’ Marcus Rashford dilemma as Unai Emery axes ‘troubled’ new signing – Aston Villa predicted XI v Chelsea
Predicting Aston Villa’s lineup to take on Chelsea at home in the Premier League.
Aston Villa are back in English top-tier action just three days after their 2-2 draw with Liverpool as Unai Emery’s side play host to Chelsea on Saturday evening.
The Villans will be determined to put an end to their five-game Premier League winless streak having lost to Wolverhampton Wanderers and drawn with Arsenal, West Ham United and Ipswich Town before sharing the spoils with Liverpool.
There’s an added layer of motivation, too, as this weekend’s game is against a direct competitor for Champions League qualification. A win wouldn’t be enough to catch up to Chelsea but it would reduce the current cap of six points down to three, really improving the outlook ahead of the rest of the season.
Emery is often reluctant to rotate in the Premier League but he has very little choice with so many games in quick succession. Axel Disasi can’t play against his parent club so that’s one enforced change, while there’s plenty of competition in attack and a couple of injury returnees could mix things up in defence.
Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Chelsea
GK – Emi Martinez
Widely regarded as the World’s number one, Martinez is the first name on the team sheet week in and week out. He’s a World Cup winner for a reason.
RB – Matty Cash
Back from injury, Cash should return to the XI. Garcia, meanwhile, was troubled by a big error against Liverpool. His time to respond will come, but probably not now.
CB – Ezri Konsa
“Close to coming back” was the latest update from Emery regarding Konsa, who is likely to return to the XI as Disasi is ineligible.
CB – Tyrone Mings
Mings will continue to play with Pau Torres still out and auxiliary centre-half Boubacar Kamara sidelined for another two weeks.
LB – Lucas Digne
Better defensively than Ian Maatsen and still ahead of the Dutchman in the pecking order, Digne is better suited to defending against some of the league’s best wingers.
CM – Lamare Bogarde
Rotation will be necessary with this the third of four Premier League games in just 10 days. John McGinn looked leggy against Liverpool, so Bogarde could come in.
CM – Youri Tielemans
Tielemans often prefers playing a little further forward but a deeper role will have to suit for now with Kamara and Amadou Onana out. Ross Barkley, meanwhile, could return off the bench.
RM – Morgan Rogers
Albeit better in the number 10 role, Rogers is more than capable of impressing on either flank. Asensio’s arrival means he’ll have to get used to playing wide often.
LM – Jacob Ramsey
As much as Marcus Rashford has impressed, Jacob Ramsey has been in excellent form. It’s a crazy dilemma, really, but one Emery will have to consider for most games between now and the end of the season.
CAM – Marco Asensio
Emery believes Asensio’s best role is just in behind the striker, so that’s likely where he’ll continue. The Paris Saint-Germain loanee has settled in brilliantly.
ST – Ollie Watkins
With three goals and three assists in his last five matches across all competitions, Watkins is back in form and should keep his place ahead of Donyell Malen.
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