Unai Emery could make a few changes to his side for Aston Villa's third Europa League match against Go Ahead Eagles
Our dedicated Aston Villa reporter is always on the pulse of all things claret and blue, from major talking points to transfer news to match action, John Townley will bring you the very latest from Bodymoor Heath and Villa Park.
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery
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Aston Villa will be seeking their sixth successive win in all competitions on Thursday night as Unai Emery’s side face Go Ahead Eagles in the Europa League.
Villa boast a 100 per cent record in the competition after winning their first two matches against Bologna and Feyenoord, while they are also yet to concede a goal.
Go Ahead Eagles, meanwhile, have three points on the board after a 2-1 win away to Panathinaikos earlier this month, following a 1-0 home defeat to FCSB in late September.
The Dutch side head into the game on the back of a 2-1 defeat at PSV, which followed a 1-1 home draw against NEC Nijmegen before the October international break.
Villa, on the other hand, beat Tottenham last time out, following four wins prior to the break, and are favourites to claim their third consecutive European victory on Thursday.
Emi Martínez was due to start against Feyenoord but pulled out during the warm-up with a calf injury. Unless he is not fully fit, the goalkeeper should start ahead of Marco Bizot.
Matty Cash is likely to continue at right-back, with Ezri Konsa and Ian Maatsen also expected to start. Emery will provide a team news update on Wednesday evening, but Tyrone Mings could feature if he is ready to return to action.
Pau Torres has been an instrumental part of Villa’s upturn in form, so Emery will face a selection dilemma if Mings is fit, especially considering Villa play five matches in 17 days before the November international break.
Lamare Bogarde could return to midfield, while Emery may look to rest Boubacar Kamara, who has started seven matches this season and recently missed two through a hamstring injury.
Ross Barkley could make his first start of the campaign, with Youri Tielemans sidelined through injury and Amadou Onana only just returning to fitness.
In attack, Evann Guessand could continue on the right, though Jadon Sancho and Harvey Elliott may come into the side as they look for more game time.
Ollie Watkins could return to the starting XI depending on his fitness, having only just recovered from the injury that saw him withdraw from international duty early last week.
Donyell Malen may lead the line again, supported by John McGinn and Emi Buendia, while Morgan Rogers - who has featured in all of Villa’s games this season, starting 10 of 11 - could be rested.
Predicted Aston Villa XI vs Go Ahead Eagles: Martínez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen; Bogarde, Barkley; Guessand, Buendia, McGinn; Malen.
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