Aston Villa return to Premier League action against Nottingham Forest on Saturday as Unai Emery searches for his first league win of the season.
Villa finally found their attacking rhythm in Tuesday’s 3-2 Champions League victory over Club Brugge.
The focus now turns to how much Emery changes at Villa Park, with Matty Cash’s fitness one of the biggest decisions.
Cash missed the trip to Belgium with muscular discomfort and remains one of the players to watch before Saturday. The latest Aston Villa injury information also has Leon Goretzka unavailable and Johan Manzambi working his way back from a knee problem.
João Gomes will definitely miss the Forest game through suspension.
Aston Villa predicted XI vs Nottingham Forest
Formation: 4-2-3-1
GK: Zion Suzuki
Suzuki should keep his place after another important performance in Bruges.
The goalkeeper made several saves as Villa protected their one-goal lead during a difficult second half.
RB: Matty Cash
This remains the biggest call.
Cash should return if he is passed fit, although Aaron Wan-Bissaka provides an obvious alternative after starting against Club Brugge.
Wan-Bissaka played 69 minutes in Belgium before Lamare Bogarde replaced him.
CB: Victor Lindelöf
Lindelöf has established himself in Emery’s early-season defensive plans and should retain his place.
CB: Pau Torres
This is a much closer decision.
Some early predicted Premier League line-ups favour Tyrone Mings alongside Lindelöf.
However, Torres produced two assists and an excellent performance against Club Brugge.
That display should give the Spaniard a strong chance of another start.
LB: Ian Maatsen
Maatsen should continue at left-back.
His ability to advance high up the pitch could be important against a Forest side likely to defend with wing-backs.
Barkley could replace suspended Gomes
CM: Boubacar Kamara
Kamara remains one of Villa’s most important midfielders and should start if fully recovered from his exertions in Bruges.
CM: Ross Barkley
Gomes’ suspension creates the biggest guaranteed change from Tuesday’s starting XI.
Barkley is the obvious candidate.
He came off the bench in Belgium and gives Emery an experienced option alongside Kamara.
Current opposition line-up projections also have Barkley in contention to start against Forest.
Hemmings deserves another opportunity
RW: John McGinn
McGinn scored Villa’s opening goal in Bruges and remains one of Emery’s most trusted players.
He should start again.
AM: Emi Buendía
Buendía also found the net against Club Brugge.
His movement between the lines helped Villa move the ball forward much faster than they managed during their opening Premier League games.
LW: George Hemmings
This is one of the more interesting selections.
Emery trusted Hemmings from the start in the Champions League despite having significantly more experienced attacking options available.
The 19-year-old delivered another assured performance and should have done enough to remain in contention.
ST: Nicolas Jackson
Jackson should lead the line after scoring his first competitive Aston Villa goal in Bruges.
His movement behind the defence gave Villa an outlet they had badly lacked earlier in the season.
Our Club Brugge 2-3 Aston Villa match report showed how much more dangerous Emery’s side looked with Jackson attacking space.
Predicted Aston Villa XI
Suzuki; Cash, Lindelöf, Torres, Maatsen; Kamara, Barkley; McGinn, Buendía, Hemmings; Jackson.
Wan-Bissaka is the obvious alternative if Cash does not recover in time.
Mings could also replace Torres if Emery opts for another defensive change after the midweek trip.
Manzambi’s fitness will be worth monitoring because his return would give Villa another attacking option from the bench.
Saturday’s game kicks off at 3pm BST and cannot be shown live in the UK because of the traditional blackout. Our Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest TV guide has the full broadcast details.
Forest also arrive without a league victory, with their early-season form before facing Aston Villa adding further importance to Saturday’s game.
