Aston Villa continue their preparations for the new season against Bayern Munich on Friday, with Unai Emery facing an intriguing decision in central midfield.
The Aston Villa predicted XI vs Bayern Munich could include Boubacar Kamara from the start after the Frenchman made his long-awaited return against BG Pathum United. Villa won 3-1 in Thailand, but John McGinn was forced off with a knee problem.
Friday’s Audi Football Summit takes place at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium. Aston Villa confirmed Bayern as the final fixture of the club’s Asian tour, before preparations turn towards the UEFA Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain.
Aston Villa predicted XI vs Bayern Munich
Marco Bizot should continue in goal, with Emiliano Martínez not expected to feature in Hong Kong following his World Cup involvement.
Matty Cash can retain his place at right-back, while Pau Torres should return alongside Victor Lindelöf in central defence. Ian Maatsen is our choice on the left, with Ezri Konsa and Lucas Digne also among the senior players not expected to feature. Sports Mole also reports that Martínez, Konsa, Digne and Ollie Watkins are unavailable for Friday’s friendly.
The biggest decision comes in midfield.
João Gomes has quickly become a regular during pre-season, while Kamara returned for his first senior appearance since suffering a knee injury in January. ReadAstonVilla reported that Kamara scored within minutes of coming off the bench against BG Pathum.
Starting alongside Gomes would represent the next step in Kamara’s recovery. Emery does not need to give him 90 minutes, but a first-half run against elite opposition could be valuable before competitive football returns.
John McGinn injury could change Emery’s plans
McGinn would ordinarily be another contender for midfield minutes, but his availability is uncertain.
The Villa captain landed awkwardly on his left knee after being fouled on Tuesday. ReadAstonVilla reported that McGinn initially tried to continue before Emery instructed him to leave the pitch.
Johan Manzambi is also unavailable as he continues recovering from his own knee injury, while Amadou Onana remains sidelined. That makes the Gomes-Kamara partnership particularly interesting ahead of the new campaign.
Further forward, Emi Buendía deserves another start after scoring against BG Pathum. Evann Guessand can operate from the right, with Alejandro Garnacho on the opposite side if he suffers no reaction to the facial injury which forced him off in Thailand.
Brian Madjo should then get another opportunity through the middle. The 17-year-old has scored four times during pre-season and can now focus fully on competing for first-team minutes.
Bayern will provide Villa’s toughest examination of the Asian tour. For Emery, however, finding out whether Gomes and Kamara can form the foundation of his new midfield may be just as important as the result.
Predicted Aston Villa XI vs Bayern Munich
Bizot; Cash, Lindelöf, Torres, Maatsen; João Gomes, Kamara; Guessand, Buendía, Garnacho; Madjo.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
