Moussa Diaby decision as Unai Emery names Aston Villa starting XI to face Walsall in friendly
Unai Emery will make plenty of changes to his team in this evening's pre-season friendly against Walsall
Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery has named his starting XI to take on Walsall for the club's first pre-season friendly at the Bescot Stadium.
Moussa Diaby has not been named in the squad despite Al-Ittihad being in talks with Villa over his transfer. The 25-year-old is yet to agree personal terms with the Saudi Pro League side, but is open to joining them this summer.
Ross Barkley starts in midfield, while fellow new signings Enzo Barrenechea and Samuel Iling-Junior are on the bench. Kosta Nedeljkovic, who joined the club back in January, is also named among the subs.
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Villa players started to return to pre-season last week, but a number of Emery's squad aren't here at the Bescot after representing their respective nations at Euro 2024 or the Copa America, including new signing Ian Maatsen.
After Villa play Walsall tonight, they'll gear up for a trip to Slovakia to face Slovakia Trnava on Saturday. Next week, Villa will jet off to the USA for their Stateside tour, where they'll play games against Columbus Crew, RB Leipzig and Club America.
Villa will be back at the Bescot in three weeks' time to face Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday, August 7, before they head to Germany to play Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, August 10. Villa kick-off their Premier League campaign against West Ham at the London Stadium on Saturday, August 17.
Villa XI vs Walsall: Olsen, Cash, Feeney, Pau, Moreno, Bogarde, Barkley, Kesler-Hayden, Jimoh-Aloba, Rogers, Archer.
Subs: Carlos, Digne, Gauci, Nedeljkovic, Barrenechea, Bailey, Dendoncker, Swinkels, Barry, Young, Iling-Junior.
Walsall XI vs Villa: Simkin, Barrett, Gordon, McEntee, Daniels, Farquharson, Lakin, Matt, Gordon, Comley, Earing.
Subs: Trialist A, Trialist B, Trialist C, Trialist D, Maher, Allen, Jellis, Williams, Stirk, Okagbue, Weir.
What do you make of the side? Tell us in the comments section
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