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Unai Emery could bench Morgan Rogers as Aston Villa take on Southampton in the Premier League.
Villa will be eager to make it two home victories out of two within the space of four days as they face the Saints at Villa Park this Saturday.
The Villans ended their eight-game winless stretch with a dominant 3-1 victory over Brentford on Wednesday. It wasn’t the most convincing of performances in the second half but goalscorers Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins and Matty Cash were ruthless in the first period.
It won’t be as straightforward as just picking the same starting XI again, however, as the fixture congestion is ramping up approaching Christmas, with Tuesday’s tough Champions League away trip to RB Leipzig on the horizon.
Emery is not one to disrespect an opposition by rotating heavily but, given this is the most favourable fixture in a very busy run, this could be the time to bench Rogers. Granted, the attacking midfielder scored a belter against Brentford, but he’s in need of a rest.
Morgan Rogers is in need of a rest, so Unai Emery is bound to bench him at some stage.Morgan Rogers is in need of a rest, so Unai Emery is bound to bench him at some stage.
Morgan Rogers is in need of a rest, so Unai Emery is bound to bench him at some stage. | Getty Images
There’s a dilemma in defence, too, after Tyrone Mings impressed midweek. It’s difficult to keep Pau Torres on the bench, so Emery might have to rearrange his defence to ensure both can start.
With all of those points in mind, here’s the Villa XI we predict will face Southampton.
Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Southampton
GK - Emi Martinez
Martinez bravely played through a hairline fracture to one of his fingers against Brentford and he kept a clean sheet. There’s no doubt he’ll play again after that.
RB - Ezri Konsa
Konsa could shift across to right-back if Emery opts for the centre-back pairing of Pau and Mings.
CB - Tyrone Mings
Mings was exceptional on his return to Premier League action and doesn’t deserve to lose his place.
CB - Pau Torres
It’d be bold to partner Pau with Mings as they’re both left footed but Emery has hinted at such a change.
LB - Lucas Digne
The Frenchman remains the preferred left-back and he will probably continue to be despite Ian Maatsen’s occasional positive cameos off the bench.
RM - Matty Cash
Cash scored his first goal of the season last time out and he’s often performed well when called upon in the more advanced right midfield role.
CM - Boubacar Kamara
Kamara struggled a little against Chelsea but he looked back near his best in the win over Brentford. Amadou Onana remains a doubt.
CM - Youri Tielemans
The Belgium international has operated superbly in the double pivot so far this term, often a seven or eight out of 10 no matter the result.
LM - John McGinn
The skipper struggled in the central attacking midfield position on Wednesday, so he could perhaps drop a little deeper to get more involved.
ST - Jhon Duran
Duran didn’t score against Brentford but he looked a huge threat and will inevitably get a start during this busy period. Morgan Rogers, meanwhile, could do with a rest.
ST - Ollie Watkins
Watkins hasn’t quite hit the heights of last season just yet but remains an excellent striker. It’s tough to keep Jhon Duran on the bench, but Emery’s system tends to work better with one out-and-out centre forward.
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