Aston Villa host Arsenal in the Premier League this afternoon and will be desperate for a result as their form has been patchy of late. Dean Smith’s men underwhelmed in Wednesday’s 3-1 defeat to West Ham United, so we anticipate two changes to the starting lineup for today’s clash.
Emiliano Martinez let in two soft goals by his standards against West Ham but will want to perform against the club which sold him only five months ago. After such an outstanding debut season, he won’t lose his place for one below-par performance.
Matty Cash wasn’t at his best on Wednesday, but no Villa player had more tackles and accurate crosses than the 23-year-old, so he should keep his spot at right-back. Matt Targett also struggled by his standards in midweek, but he is comfortably ahead of Neil Taylor in the pecking order and is only being replaced if injured.
Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa don’t need to worry about losing their places while Kortney Hause is injured, as Bjorn Engels is only a last resort. The 26-year-old isn’t likely to feature unless injury stuck the defence again.
Douglas Luiz struggled against West Ham and was hauled off in the second half by Smith, but he should start today. The 22-year-old still turned over the ball four times on Wednesday, so he should be excused one sub-par performance without losing his place.
John McGinn looked tired in midweek and couldn’t get his hands on any player in midfield, so he might benefit from a rest. Marvelous Nakamba impressed when deputising for the 26-year-old against Newcastle United, but Morgan Sanson might get the nod as the more composed footballer. McGinn is better than Luiz to bring off the bench with his high levels of industry, but it would be a big call to drop him.
Anwar El Ghazi was poor against West Ham and ended up being substituted at half-time, but he might actually get the nod this afternoon. He started on the right wing on Wednesday but might swap flanks this weekend.
Ross Barkley might be dropped after his below-par display to allow Jack Grealish to take up a central role, with the left wing covered by El Ghazi. That leaves Bertrand Traore to return to the starting XI on the right flank after being benched in midweek.
Ollie Watkins impressed against the Hammers and got on the scoresheet, so his place in the side is guaranteed. Villa would be in trouble without him.
Predicted XI v Arsenal: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; Luiz, Sanson; Traore, Grealish, El Ghazi; Watkins
