Following an historic campaign last time round, qualifying for the Champions League for the first time since they were holders in 1983/84, Aston Villa are hoping to go again, commencing this season with a Saturday evening claret clash at the London Stadium.
Aston Villa Predicted Lineup Vs West Ham United
How Aston Villa Have Lined up Recently
Of course, given that this is the opening weekend of the season, looking back at recent line-ups is something of a fool’s errand, especially given that many of Villa’s key squad members were in action at either the European Championships or Copa América.
Last weekend, a relatively strong side was defeated 2-0 by Borussia Dortmund at Westfalenstadion, with 18-year-old right-back Kosta Nedeljković the only member of the team highly unlikely to remain there.
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Summer recruits Amadou Onana and Jaden Philogene both started in Germany, while Enzo Barrenechea, Ian Maatsen and the returning Ross Barkley all came off the bench, suggesting they are all in line to debut at the London Stadium, either from the start or later on.
Lastly, Emi Buendía has also been fully involved in pre-season, which is a boost after the winger ruptured his ACL on the eve of last season almost exactly 12 months ago.
Aston Villa Recent Form and Tactics
Following an ultra-successful campaign, expect more of the same from Unai Emery’s team.
Douglas Luiz, who joined Juventus, is the most noteworthy summer departure, but Onana, acquired from Everton for £50 million, appears a more than adequate replacement, so the Belgian will be the new man at the base of Villa’s midfield.
Thus, largely, Emery’s 4-3-3 system, with the width provided by full-backs, including new arrival Maatsen, will remain untampered with.
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In terms of form, Villa’s pre-season results were mixed at best, first beating Walsall at Bescot and then Spartak Trnava in Slovakia, both by the same 3-0 scoreline.
The Claret and Blue Army then lost all three fixtures of their U.S. tour, defeated by Columbus Crew in Ohio, RB Leipzig in New Jersey and Club América at Soldier Field, conceding seven goals and scoring just one.
Upon returning to Europe, an encouraging 3-2 home win over Athletic Club followed, before last weekend’s aforementioned defeat at the hands of Dortmund, but pre-season results mean very little, which is probably good news for supporters.
Aston Villa Injuries to Consider
Tyrone Mings’ availability is unknown after he ruptured his ACL a year ago, but the club captain aside, Villa appear to have a clean bill of health.
Aston Villa Predicted Lineup
GK: Emi Martínez
RB: Matty Cash
CB: Ezri Konsa
CB: Pau Torres
LB: Ian Maatsen
CM: Amadou Onana
CM: Youri Tielemans
CM: John McGinn
RW: Leon Bailey
LW: Morgan Rogers
ST: Ollie Watkins
