Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery hints that he will give strong consideration to squad rotation for Tuesday’s Champions League fixture against Bologna.
Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery has hinted that squad rotation is a necessity ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League fixture against Bologna.
The West Midlands outfit are attempting to compete on all fronts this season as they participate in their first-ever Champions League campaign.
A total of 17 points have been accumulated from their opening eight matches in the Premier League, while back-to-back victories have been posted in Europe.
However, aside from when injuries have occurred, Emery has been reluctant to tinker with his team, Jhon Duran remarkably still waiting for his first start in the aforementioned competitions.
Six players have started every single Premier League fixture, while a further two have missed just the one fixture since the middle of August.
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What has Emery had to say?
Last week, Emery spoke about the importance of being able to recall a number of players ahead of the win over Fulham, including Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference on Monday, the Spaniard has acknowledged that it is vital to have more players at his disposal as he bids to manage the fitness of his squad.
He said: “Very important. We can have more options in the starting 11 with the players. They are fit, they are getting good performances with the team.
“In this moment, we have to be intelligent and have good preparation with everyone, to try and help us on the field. I have to be clinical myself, and ask the players how we can get to being consistent physically, with the energy, playing a lot of matches in the level we are.
“Our mentality is to keep the same level we had last year in the Premier League, and the same level we can have this year in the Champions League. We had it last year in the Conference League, but of course, Champions League is more demanding than the Conference.
“Now, I am very proud of the work we are doing, but each day, even today in our training session, it is very important how they are responding, the players.”
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Which players could earn rare starts?
As well as Duran finally getting another opportunity in the starting lineup, there may be several other alterations in various areas of the pitch.
Jaden Philogene should feature given that he is suspended for the next Premier League game, while Ezri Konsa and Ian Maatsen are in line to start in defence.
Emery may also decide to start Ross Barkley and unleash Emiliano Buendia, who is due another outing having come through 90 minutes in the EFL Cup tie at Wycombe Wanderers last month after last season’s long-term knee injury.
However, John McGinn may remain among the replacements having only made his return from injury at Craven Cottage.
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