Emery splashes cash and unleashes a £25 million gem in anticipated Aston Villa XI.
Aston Villa made four signings during the transfer window, gaining the services of youthful talent like as Morgan Rogers, Lino Sousa, Kosta Nedeljkovic, and Joe Gauci as Unai Emery looks to build for the future.
The Spaniard is doing something exceptional at Villa Park right now, and despite losing to Newcastle United in midweek, the players’ morale should not be dampened, especially with a Premier League match against Sheffield United coming up this evening.
The Midlands team is now fifth in the league, just eight points behind the leaders, and while a title challenge may be difficult to sustain in the long run, Emery’s squad is absolutely capable of finishing in the top four.
Football FanCast predicts the Villa starting XI, with many changes from the 3-1 setback to Newcastle United, that will take the field in the evening clash.
1. GK – Emiliano Martínez
The Argentinean will start against Sheffield United in his 22nd Premier League appearance of the season. In his first 21 matches, he has only maintained five clean sheets and conceded 29 goals.
The World Cup winner will be hoping to avoid conceding tonight, as a Villa victory might help them rapidly regain confidence following their recent loss to the Magpies.
2. RB – Ezri Konsa
Matty Cash started against the North East side, but did not perform well. During the game, the Poland international lost possession 21 times while failing to generate any form of attacking threat, as he failed to deliver a single accurate cross or succeed in any of his dribbling attempts.
Ezri Konsa will move over from the centre of the defence to the right-back slot in order to replace Cash, and it could be a wise decision from Emery to solidify the side.
3. CB – Diego Carlos
The Brazilian sat out against Newcastle, but he has 15 Premier League outings this season and Villa have only conceded 11 goals when he starts.
With Konsa covering Cash at right-back, expect the 30-year-old to return to the starting lineup, where he will seek to put in another strong performance against the Blades.
4. CB – Clement Lenglet
With Tyrone Mings sidelined for the season due to an opening-day injury and Pau Torres also injured, Lenglet made his Premier League debut for the club against today’s opponents just before Christmas.
The Villa Park side has only won once in the league when he has started, which may be a source of concern for Emery, but he does not have many options due to injury concerns.
5. LB: Alex Moreno
Due to Lucas Digne’s injury, the Spaniard will continue to play on the left side of the defence, and the defender has already scored twice since November, providing Emery with another offensive danger.
The 30-year-old has started the last three league games and will seek to help his club secure another victory.
6. RM – Leon Bailey
Bailey started on the bench against Newcastle but replaced Moussa Diaby in the second half, where he assisted and made five vital passes in 30 minutes.
The £25 million signing from Bayer Leverkusen in 2021 was described as a “standout” performer by journalist Ashley Preece last season, and he should start on the right side of the midfield against the Blades.
7. cm – Boubacar Kamara
The Frenchman has developed as a vital performer under Emery, commanding the midfield.
Kamara has missed only two Premier League games this season due to suspension, having started all 18 of his top-flight games, and he will continue to play in the middle of the pitch.
8. CM – Douglas Luiz
During the January transfer window, the Brazilian drew a lot of attention, with Arsenal reportedly interested in signing him.
He will remain at Villa at least until the end of the season, and his efforts have been critical to the club’s success this season.
This season, the former Manchester City sensation has seven goals and six assists in all competitions, establishing himself as Emery’s go-to goal threat.
A stalemate with the Blades, who are at the bottom of the table, might see the 25-year-old add to his totals this evening.
9. LM – John McGinn
The Scot was pushed out to the right flank in midweek, but with Bailey taking that spot today, McGinn will return to his place on the left side of the midfield, where he hopes to have a greater influence on events.
McGinn has yet to miss a league game this season, having started all 22 of them, and this will continue into the meeting against Sheffield United this evening.
10. ST: Moussa Diaby
The club’s record acquisition from Bayer Leverkusen will continue to play alongside Ollie Watkins in Emery’s 4-4-2 formation against the Blades.
The French winger may not have reached the heights of his sensational season for the German club last season (14 goals and 11 assists), but his five goals and six assists so far are adequate, and with more Premier League experience, the 24-year-old will hope to improve further.
11. ST: Ollie Watkins
The striker has been in phenomenal form this season, scoring 15 goals and assisting ten times in all competitions, establishing himself as their key goal threat.
Emery will be praying that the Englishman remains injury-free between now and the end of the season; otherwise, Villa’s chances of ending their trophy drought may come to an abrupt halt.
He could add to his goal total if his teammates provide him lots of opportunities to score against the Blades this evening.
Predicted Aston Villa XI vs Sheffield United: GK Martinez; RB Konsa; CB Carlos, CB Lenglet, LB Moreno; RM Bailey, CM Kamara, CM Luiz, LM McGinn; ST Diaby, ST Watkins.
