Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has a few selection headaches for the Premier League clash against Brighton on Wednesday
Aston Villa's Jadon Sancho
Aston Villa's Jadon Sancho(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
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Aston Villa will be looking to return to winning ways on Wednesday night when Unai Emery’s side take on Brighton in the Premier League.
After winning three in a row against Fenerbahce, Newcastle United and RB Salzburg, Villa have failed to win their last two matches, losing to Brentford and drawing at Bournemouth.
This midweek clash against the Seagulls provides Villa with a good opportunity to respond after losing their last two home league games.
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler faced chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” and “you don’t know what you’re doing” during Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to rivals Crystal Palace.
They have also won only one of their last 12 league matches, a victory that came at home against relegation-bound Burnley.
Emery will speak to the media ahead of the match on Tuesday afternoon, but Emi Martinez is expected to start in goal behind a defence of Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres and Ian Maatsen.
Amadou Onana and Douglas Luiz could continue in the double pivot, with Morgan Rogers and Emi Buendia supporting striker Ollie Watkins.
On the right, Jadon Sancho may keep his place following his impressive first-half display against Bournemouth.
Leon Bailey is another option, but he struggled after coming on at the Vitality Stadium last time out.
Harvey Elliott, meanwhile, remains three games away from becoming a permanent Villa player - something the club are not prepared to sanction.
Tammy Abraham should get the opportunity to start against Newcastle in the FA Cup this coming weekend, while Watkins has an excellent record against Brighton down the years.
The striker has scored more goals (nine) and has more goal involvements (11) against Brighton than he does any other opponent in the Premier League.
Villa predicted XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen; Onana, Luiz; Sancho, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins.
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