Dendoncker drops out, Bailey keeps place - Aston Villa predicted XI vs Manchester United
Here’s a look at the options facing Unai Emery as the players return to Bodymoor Heath today prior to facing Manchester United for a second time
Aston Villa will make the 160-mile round-trip to Old Trafford on Thursday for part two of their sequel against Manchester United. It’s the League Cup third round this time with Villa packing out the away end to the tune of 7,502 supporters.
Unai Emery has already stated that his main goal is to win silverware with Aston Villa and, given he has won 10 trophies in his managerial career, you’d be a fool to bet against him.
“My dream is to win a trophy with Aston Villa. It’s my challenge,” Emery said last week, with Villa’s last major honour coming in 1996 when Brian Little’s Villa beat Leeds United 3-0 at Wembley to lift the Coca-Cola Cup.
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After destroying Erik ten Hag’s men 3-1 on Sunday, Emery has said changes will be made to his starting XI at Old Trafford given the 64-hour turnaround until kick-off against Brighton on November 13 in the final game before the World Cup break.
It’s not yet known if Emery will have Robin Olsen as his designated cup goalkeeper to keep the Swede match-sharp. Emi Martinez will, though, be favourite to start once again on Thursday given the importance of the competition to the head coach and the owners.
The experienced Ashley Young came out of Emery’s XI at the weekend and, given the performances of Matty Cash and Lucas Digne, it’d be hard to see the 37-year-old return to the starting line-up. It’s the same for Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings who were both rock-solid up against Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. Jan Bednarek is cup-tied while Calum Chambers will be hopeful of some match action.
Into midfield and, like Bednarek, Leander Dendoncker is cup-tied having played for Wolves in the previous round. Boubacar Kamara is the obvious candidate to come into the starting XI. Douglas Luiz is likely to keep his place in Villa’s XI despite competition from Morgan Sanson and Marvelous Nakamba, two players who are now back in the picture at Villa Park.
Again, in attack, changes are not to be expected given what we witnessed of Emi Buendia, Jacob Ramsey, Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey. Danny Ings and Cameron Archer will, though, hope to see some action.
Aston Villa predicted XI vs Man Utd (4-2-2-2): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Kamara, Douglas Luiz; Ramsey, Buendia; Watkins, Bailey.
Subs from: Olsen (gk), Marschall (gk), Young, Chambers, Augustinsson, McGinn, Nakamba, Sanson, Ings, Archer.
Ruled out: Diego Carlos (Achilles), Steer (Achilles), Coutinho (thigh), Bednarek (cup-tied), Dendoncker (cup-tied).
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