Aston Villa’s predicted XI against Brighton has changed again after Aaron Wan-Bissaka completed his move to Villa Park and Unai Emery publicly addressed the uncertain futures of Emi Martinez and Ollie Watkins.
Villa travel to the Amex Stadium on Sunday for their opening Premier League fixture with a squad that looks considerably different from the one which ended last season.
Ezri Konsa has now completed his £55million move to Arsenal, Wan-Bissaka is eligible to make his debut and Zion Suzuki is pushing to immediately take over in goal.
Predicted Aston Villa XI: Suzuki; Cash, Lindelöf, Torres, Maatsen; McGinn, Kamara, Barkley; Hemmings, Buendia; Watkins.
Zion Suzuki gets Aston Villa goalkeeper call
Suzuki remains our prediction to start ahead of Martinez.
Emery provided the clearest explanation yet for Villa’s £30million goalkeeper investment on Friday when he revealed Martinez has again communicated his desire for the possibility of a new challenge.
That makes Suzuki’s arrival considerably more relevant to Sunday’s selection.
ESPN has also predicted Suzuki to start at the Amex.
In defence, Villa must operate without Konsa after the England international completed his £55million move to Arsenal.
Victor Lindelöf therefore partners Pau Torres in our latest prediction.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka could make Aston Villa debut
Right-back has become more complicated.
Aston Villa officially completed Wan-Bissaka’s arrival from West Ham on Friday, and talkSPORT reports the 28-year-old was registered in time to be eligible against Brighton.
We are still backing Matty Cash to start.
Wan-Bissaka has only just arrived and has had limited time working within Emery’s structure, making Cash the safer opening-day choice.
The new signing should nevertheless provide Emery with an experienced alternative from the bench.
At left-back, Ian Maatsen now edges Matteo Ruggeri in our prediction.
Ruggeri has been signed to compete immediately following Lucas Digne’s departure, but Maatsen already understands Emery’s demands and may be the safer selection for the opening weekend.
Ollie Watkins still leads Aston Villa attack
Midfield remains depleted.
João Gomes and Amadou Onana are unavailable, leaving Boubacar Kamara and John McGinn as Villa’s strongest senior central combination.
Ross Barkley could consequently return to the side in a more advanced midfield role.
Further forward, Alejandro Garnacho remains a selection uncertainty after missing the UEFA Super Cup because of concussion protocols.
ESPN has suggested academy midfielder George Hemmings could benefit from Villa’s shortages and make his first Premier League start.
We are now backing Hemmings to feature, with Emi Buendia operating behind Watkins.
Watkins remains Villa’s most likely striker despite the ongoing Al-Hilal pursuit.
Villa are reportedly demanding around £55million for the England international, while Emery admitted on Friday that his situation could change if a transfer works for the player, club and squad.
For now, Watkins remains a Villa player.
That should make him the favourite to lead a dramatically altered side out at the Amex.
