Aston Villa predicted XI vs Tottenham: Diego Carlos starts, Boubacar Kamara back in
Here’s a look at the options facing head coach Unai Emery with the Basque having a full squad to choose from ahead of the huge encounter with Spurs at Villa Park on Saturday
It feels like it’s all-or-nothing this upcoming weekend as Aston Villa look to keep their European dreams alive by beating rivals Tottenham.
Head coach Unai Emery has already labelled the showdown as “our cup final” knowing three points will see Villa go level on points with Spurs with two games to play.
Speaking after Villa’s second-successive defeat last weekend at Wolves, skipper John McGinn said: “We’ve made it extremely difficult for ourselves now but the challenge is still there for us, and we’ll be aiming for three wins in the last three games.”
Brighton’s shock defeat at home to Everton strengthened Villa’s position to nab a European place knowing the Seagulls - who are directly above Villa in seventh - travel to title-chasing Arsenal this week before a trip to Newcastle.
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Villa, meanwhile, welcomed back Boubacar Kamara and Leon Bailey at the weekend with the pair getting some much-needed minutes at Molineux. Diego Carlos also made his long-awaited playing return - and looked good in doing so - as he partnered Tyrone Mings for the final 25 minutes against Wolves.
Philippe Coutinho was back amongst the substitutes after his near three-month absence with a hamstring injury. Matty Cash was also with the squad on Saturday and did extras with the likes of Coutinho after Villa’s 1-0 defeat.
It now means Emery will have a full squad to choose from after a full week on the training pitches at Bodymoor Heath. To Emery’s potential line-up and there will be changes against Spurs.
Emi Martinez will start in goal once again while, ahead of him, Emery will be tempted to hand Carlos his first start since August given the impression he made. “Diego Carlos also coming back is good news after a long injury,” Emery said. “It’s fantastic for the team and for him.”
With that in mind and, with Ashley Young arguably in need of a rest, Ezri Konsa could start at right-back on Saturday with Carlos partnering Mings. Alex Moreno, despite struggling at Wolves, should get the nod over Lucas Digne on Villa’s left-hand side.
In midfield, John McGinn will most-likely move back out to the right which will allow Kamara to start infield alongside Douglas Luiz. The pair started alongside each other in the impressive 2-0 win at Tottenham back in January. On the left, Jacob Ramsey will be the favourite to start once more while, up front, Emi Buendia should get the nod over the fit-again Bailey and Bertrand Traore to partner top scorer Ollie Watkins.
Aston Villa predicted XI vs Tottenham: Martinez; Konsa, Diego Carlos, Mings, Alex Moreno; McGinn, Kamara, Douglas Luiz, Ramsey; Buendia, Watkins.
Tottenham last time out vs Palace (won 1-0): Forster; Emerson, Romero, Lenglet (Dier, 88); Porro, Skipp, Hojbjerg, Davies; Son (Danjuma, 89), Kane, Richarlison (Kulusevski, 79).
What would be your Aston Villa XI vs Spurs? Let us know in the comments section
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