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Aston Villa predicted XI vs Brighton as Dendoncker and Bailey return

Here’s a look ahead to this afternoon's clash (2pm) as Unai Emery looks to secure Aston Villa’s first Premier League win away from home this season

Aston Villa players celebrate Leon Bailey's goal against Manchester United(Image: AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

Unai Emery says he wants to make Aston Villa a much stronger team away from home with the Villans winless in their seven Premier League fixtures on the road this season (D2 L5). Villa were beaten by Manchester United on Thursday evening as Emery’s men collapsed at Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup.

Up next it’s in-form Brighton at the Amex Stadium, the scene of an impressive win for Villa back in February as then-boss Steven Gerrard completed a league double over the Seagulls. This time, Brighton are managed by Roberto De Zerbi with the Italian winning his last three games on the spin against Chelsea, Wolves and Arsenal. Brighton have lost just once at home this season (W3 D2).


Looking ahead to Villa’s potential line-up and it points to reverting back to the XI that did so well against United in the Premier League last weekend. Emi Martinez, rested in midweek, is expected to reclaim his spot in goal despite Argentina’s plea to release the goalkeeper early ahead of their pre-World Cup friendly against the UAE next week (November 16).


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Across the back it should be Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings and Lucas Digne. Konsa played an hour on Thursday while Mings, Cash and Digne came on in the second half as the trio, like Martinez, were rested. In midfield, Douglas Luiz will retain his place and you suspect the fresher Leander Dendoncker will come straight back in for Boubacar Kamara who would have felt that 90 minutes at Old Trafford on Thursday, his first full match since September given his previous knee injury.

A little further upfield and Emi Buendia and Jacob Ramsey should get the nod once more while, ahead of them, Ollie Watkins will retain his place. Leon Bailey, bright again in midweek, should nudge Danny Ings back out of the starting XI as the Jamaican looks to continue his form.

Aston Villa predicted XI vs Brighton: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Douglas Luiz, Dendoncker; Buendia, J.Ramsey; Watkins, Bailey.

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Aston Villa FCBrighton & Hove Albion FCPremier LeagueUnai EmeryLeander DendonckerLeon Bailey
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