Chambers in for Mings, Bailey starts in attack - Aston Villa predicted XI vs Rennes

Latest Aston Villa news via BirminghamLive looks at the potential selection headaches facing Steven Gerrard ahead of Saturday’s showdown in France against Stade Rennais

Ashley Preece Local Democracy Reporter

17:03, 28 Jul 2022Updated 09:14, 30 Jul 2022

Calum Chambers celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the pre-season friendly match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Optus Stadium

We’re just seven days out from Aston Villa’s Premier League opener down at Bournemouth and, tomorrow, Steven Gerrard will take a strong squad over to France to take on Stade Rennais for one final warm-up game. Villa will be backed by well over 1,300 supporters in Rennes for what will be Villa’s first trip into Europe since the friendly win over RB Leipzig three years ago.

Gerrard, 42, has a near clean bill of health for the trip with Kortney Hause (knee) the only absentee. Keinan Davis (hamstring) could feature but it’s likely that the head coach will field what he believes is his strongest starting line-up given what he’s seen across Villa’s four friendlies to date. As reported on Thursday, Villa have a ‘bounce game’ booked in against Fulham later prior to flying over to France as Gerrard wants every member of his squad - whether they’re a starter or on the periphery - as match-fit as possible.

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To the potential line-up in Rennes and, given the second half fightback against Manchester United in Perth, Gerrard will no doubt be favouring a more conventional 4-3-3 system. The manager did, though, start that game with Philippe Coutinho as the No.10 behind Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings in what was a more narrow 4-3-1-2 shape.

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From front to back in Rennes, though, and Emi Martinez is expected to start in goal ahead of No.2 Robin Olsen. Despite Kaine Kesler-Hayden’s form, Matty Cash is favourite to retain his place at right-back with Lucas Digne starting over on the opposite side.

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Summer signing Diego Carlos is also expected to start in France, while it’ll be a shoot-out between Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa and Calum Chambers as to who’ll start next to the Brazilian, with the latter the obvious favourite given the form he’s shown throughout pre-season.

Into midfield and Boubacar Kamara will start once more centrally just ahead of the back four. The Frenchman will no doubt be supported by Villa’s newly-appointed captain John McGinn while, on the left-hand side of the midfield trio, one of Jacob Ramsey, Douglas Luiz or Morgan Sanson will start.

In attack for Villa and, should it be the same system that came from behind in Perth last weekend, star of pre-season Leon Bailey should start from the right with Philippe Coutinho the slight favourite to be picked ahead of Emi Buendia on the left. It’ll be another shoot-out between Ings and Watkins as to who’ll lead the line, with the latter perhaps getting the nod knowing what a goal would do for his confidence heading into next week’s Premier League curtain-raiser at the Vitality Stadium. Cameron Archer should also get some game time in Rennes.

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BirminghamLive’s predicted Aston Villa XI vs Stade Rennais (4-3-3): Martinez; Cash, Diego Carlos, Chambers, Digne; McGinn, Kamara, Douglas Luiz; Bailey, Watkins, Coutinho.

What is Aston Villa's strongest starting line-up? Let us know in the comments section

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