Aston Villa Brighton Morgan Rogers Unai Emery
(credit: Imago)
Max Wilkins
Mon 31 March 2025 15:40, UK
Unai Emery could make three changes to his Aston Villa side to face Brighton on Wednesday, with Morgan Rogers potentially set to drop to the bench.
The Villans are set to travel to the south coast in a return to Premier League action just three days after their FA Cup quarter-final win against Preston North End.
Goals from Jacob Ramsey and Marcus Rashford proved to be the difference at Deepdale as Villa made it to Wembley for the first time in five years.
With the excitement of a semi-final behind them, Emery will be hoping to maintain a positive run with a trip to face the Seagulls, where rotation may be needed.
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is preparing for a clash at Wembley this season (Credit: Imago)
Rogers axed for Aston Villa v Preston North End
There was so much positive to say about the win against the Championship side, one of which being yet another clean sheet.
Emi Martinez had just one save to make against the Lilywhites [FotMob] as the Villans maintained a fourth shutout in their last five games.
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Ahead of the Argentina international, one change could be utilised to see Pau Torres return in place of Tyrone Mings who won just 50 per cent of duels against Preston.
The Spaniard could join Ezri Konsa, Matty Cash and Lucas Digne at the back with the latter contributing two assists and five defensive actions in the FA Cup.
At the base of midfield, Emery could stand firm with Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara who were both terrific last time out. The Frenchman chipped in with 10 defensive actions and won five duels to help maintain a Villa clean sheet.
Stat v Preston North End Youri Tielemans Boubacar Kamara Total
Accurate passes 41 63 104
Accurate long balls 3 6 9
Tackles won 1 1 2
Defensive actions 1 1 2
Duels won 3 5 8
Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara stats in Aston Villa v Preston
As good as the B6 club were going forward in Lancashire, some rotation could make sense against a defensively sound Brighton side.
This could see Donyell Malen and Ollie Watkins come in to link up with Rashford and Ramsey, with the English duo contributing a combined eight shots and four chances created.
If this pair were to come in, Marco Asensio and Rogers could drop to the bench as Emery looks to get the best out of his side, especially after the England international completed just 33 per cent of dribbles and was far from his best against PNE.
Aston Villa predicted XI v Brighton
Aston Villa predicted XI v Brighton
Aston Villa must keep winning run up v Brighton
Emery is finally managing to get a consistent tune out of his Villa side and things look like heating up towards the end of the season.
The Spanish head coach needs to get the most out of his squad at this point but will also be keen to maintain some consistency.
This could see the likes of Amadou Onana remain as a bench option with the chance of proving himself in the coming weeks.
It will be interesting to see if Villa can maintain their positive form against Brighton, who also set their sights on a positive end to the campaign.
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