Unai Emery has a few selection dilemmas ahead of Aston Villa's Premier League clash against Brentford
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has decisions to make for the Brentford clash
Aston Villa return to action this weekend as they target a first home win of the season against Brentford on Saturday afternoon.
Unai Emery’s side claimed their first league victory of the campaign against Tottenham in north London before the international break, winning 3-2 thanks to goals from Johan Manzambi, Nicolas Jackson and Emi Buendia.
All three goalscorers are expected to start against the Bees at Villa Park, while Emery will have more options to choose from following the returns of several players.
Alysson and Pau Torres both missed the trip to Tottenham but are now back fit and available, while Brian Madjo could make his Premier League debut this weekend.
The 17-year-old striker returned to action against Sevilla in a mid-season friendly last Friday, playing the second half in the 3-1 win, in which Ross Barkley, Alejandro Garnacho and Max Jenner scored.
In goal, Zion Suzuki will start behind a defence likely to consist of Matty Cash, Victor Lindelof, Torres and Matteo Ruggeri.
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Aston Villa's Joao Gomes
Aston Villa's Joao Gomes is expected to line up against Brentford(Image: Adam Davy/PA Wire)
In midfield, Joao Gomes is expected to line up alongside Boubacar Kamara in the double pivot, with John McGinn, Manzambi and Buendia supporting striker Jackson.
Tyrone Mings and Aaron Wan-Bissaka would therefore drop to the bench after starting against Spurs, while Marco Bizot, George Hemmings, Barkley, Ibrahim Mbaye and Madjo are all expected to make the bench.
The final couple of places on the bench would then go to two of Garnacho, Alysson, Lamare Bogarde, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Tammy Abraham or Leon Goretzka, should the latter be fit enough.
Those options demonstrate just how deep Emery’s squad is when he has a near-fully fit team, with Ian Maatsen and Amadou Onana the only confirmed absentees at this stage. He will also be asked to provide an update on Goretzka during his press conference on Friday afternoon.
Predicted Villa XI: Suzuki; Cash, Lindelof, Torres, Ruggeri; Kamara, Gomes; McGinn, Manzambi, Buendia; Jackson.