Dendoncker keeps place, Buendia more advanced - Aston Villa predicted XI vs Brentford
A look at the options for Unai Emery ahead of kick-off on Saturday with the boss set to make calls on the fitness of Matty Cash, Boubacar Kamara, Leon Bailey and Philippe Coutinho
Aston Villa are a well-oiled machine right now, with Unai Emery’s small squad set to rock up at Brentford this weekend full of confidence of nailing their all-important game plan.
An unprecedented sixth win on the spin on Saturday would propel Villa to just three points off the Premier League top four with six games remaining. However, head coach Emery has played down Villa’s Champions League hopes with the Europa League no doubt the more realistic aim inside the dressing room.
Ahead of Brentford on Saturday (3pm), Emery will see how his injured quartet - Boubacar Kamara, Matty Cash, Philippe Coutinho and Leon Bailey - are doing. Midfielder Kamara was rushed back too soon at Chelsea earlier this month and, with some huge games on the horizon, Villa will make sure the Frenchman is 100 percent before he returns to the squad.
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A man who did well in Kamara’s usual position last weekend in the win over Newcastle was Leander Dendoncker. The understated Belgian made just his second Premier League start under Emery and did everything that was asked of him after posting a 97 percent pass success rate as he sat in alongside Douglas Luiz. You’d envisage it will be the same again at Brentford all across the midfield with Dendoncker and Douglas Luiz supported by John McGinn and Jacob Ramsey, who were both excellent against Newcastle too.
It looks set to be as you were at the back with Emi Martinez playing behind a back four of Ashley Young, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings and Alex Moreno, a player who’s getting better and better with every game.
At the other end of the pitch, Emi Buendia and ex-Brentford ace Ollie Watkins will start together once again. Buendia has assisted Watkins for two of his last four goals.
Aston Villa predicted XI vs Brentford: Martinez; Young, Konsa, Mings, Alex Moreno; McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Dendoncker, Ramsey; Watkins, Buendia.
Subs from: Olsen, Sinisalo, Diego Carlos, Traore, Chambers, Duran, Digne, Revan
Doubtful: Cash (calf), Kamara (ankle), Coutinho (hamstring), Bailey (hamstring)
Ruled out: Steer (Achilles)
What would your Villa starting XI be for Brentford? Tell us in the comments section here
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