Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Aston Villa could line up for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Arsenal.
Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery has a couple of selection dilemmas to resolve for Saturday’s Premier League showdown against Arsenal at Villa Park.
The Lions eked out a 2-1 win over West Ham United in their opening engagement of 2024-25, where Jhon Duran – formerly expected to join the Irons – came off the bench to bag a late winner.
The Colombian – whose goal every 103 minutes in the Premier League is second only to Erling Haaland‘s one every 85 – has certainly made his case to start alongside Ollie Watkins on Saturday, potentially triggering a formation change from Emery.
The ex-Arsenal boss could consider moving to a 4-4-2 to partner Duran with Watkins, with the former potentially taking Morgan Rogers‘s spot as John McGinn and Leon Bailey feature on the flanks.
Amadou Onana and Youri Tielemans – two midfielders who used to be on Arsenal’s transfer shortlist – will no doubt hold their spots in the middle after combining for their side’s first goal of the 2024-25 season at the London Stadium.
With 82 minutes gone in that clash, Matty Cash had to be replaced by Kosta Nedeljkovic and appeared to be nursing a slight leg injury, but there is currently nothing to suggest that he will not be fit for the weekend.
As a result, Cash ought to form an unchanged rearguard with Emiliano Martinez, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres and Lucas Digne, even though Ian Maatsen is pushing to replace the latter.
Boubacar Kamara (knee) and Tyrone Mings (knee) remain absent for the hosts, whose backup goalkeeper Robin Olsen is also recovering from a facial injury but might make the bench.
Aston Villa possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Bailey, Tielemans, Onana, McGinn; Watkins, Duran
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