Unai Emery has the opportunity to rotate his Aston Villa side when they travel to Coventry City in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
Villa are still searching for their first domestic victory of the season after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest, but a demanding schedule means changes should be expected.
Ian Maatsen and Pau Torres are set to miss the tie through injury, while Matty Cash remains a fitness doubt after sitting out Villa’s last two matches.
João Gomes is available again after completing his three-match domestic suspension, while Alejandro Garnacho is pushing for his first Villa start.
Sports Mole also expects Emery to rotate heavily, with Taylor Harwood-Bellis among the summer arrivals who could receive an opportunity.
Here is our predicted Aston Villa XI against Coventry.
Aston Villa predicted XI vs Coventry City
GK: Marco Bizot
Zion Suzuki has established himself as Emery’s first choice, making this an obvious opportunity to give Bizot competitive minutes.
RB: Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Cash remains doubtful, so Wan-Bissaka may have to continue despite the expected rotation.
CB: Taylor Harwood-Bellis
This looks like a natural opportunity for Harwood-Bellis after Emery previously indicated his chance was coming following Torres’ injury.
CB: Tyrone Mings
Mings replaced Torres against Forest and can provide experience alongside Harwood-Bellis.
LB: Matteo Ruggeri
Maatsen’s ankle injury opens the door for Ruggeri to return on the left.
CM: João Gomes
Back from suspension and in need of domestic minutes. This should be an ideal game to reintegrate him.
CM: Boubacar Kamara
Emery may want some continuity alongside Gomes rather than changing the entire midfield.
RW: Ibrahim Mbaye
Mbaye came off the bench against Forest and could now be handed an opportunity from the start.
CAM: Emi Buendia
One of the more experienced attackers should remain to connect a heavily changed team.
LW: Alejandro Garnacho
The standout selection call. Garnacho needs minutes and Wednesday provides a strong opportunity for his first Villa start.
ST: Tammy Abraham
Nicolas Jackson has started Villa’s recent games, so Abraham should be a strong candidate to lead the line.
Predicted XI
Bizot; Wan-Bissaka, Harwood-Bellis, Mings, Ruggeri; Gomes, Kamara; Mbaye, Buendia, Garnacho; Abraham.
Gomes’ return and Garnacho’s potential first start make this a particularly interesting selection night for Emery.
Villa’s latest injury situation is covered in our match-specific team-news guide, while supporters can find all the broadcast information in our Coventry City vs Aston Villa TV guide.
