Aston Villa team news as Unai Emery DROPS midfielder for Manchester United match
Manager Unai Emery has named his team for Aston Villa’s Premier League match against Manchester United this afternoon.
Villa are winless in their last three Premier League matches and start this one level on points with United and behind them on goal difference. Despite the Red Devils’ latest result, they kick off today’s game at Old Trafford as the form team.
Emery has opted to stick with Lamare Bogarde at right-back, with Matty Cash unable to join the matchday squad due to injury. Tyrone Mings and Lucas Digne get the nod on the left side of the defence.
That suggests that the manager is prioritising solidity over ambition this afternoon, which is perhaps also reflected in a significant change in midfield.
Douglas Luiz dropped
Villa’s options in midfield have been limited by a spate of injuries but Emery has been able to exercise some flexibility for the first time in weeks.
Captain John McGinn makes the first start of his return from injury but will slot into the attacking trio behind Watkins, but Amadou Onana has a new partner in the middle.
Emery has picked Ross Barkley alongside the Belgian, a first league start of the season for the 32-year-old.
Douglas Luiz drops to the bench after starting every game since his return to Villa on loan.
Striker Ollie Watkins keeps his place after a fine goal in the Europa League on Thursday, meaning Tammy Abraham continues on the bench.
Villa team news in full
Starting XI: Martínez, Bogarde, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Barkley, Onana, Buendía, McGinn, Rogers, Watkins
Substitutes: Bizot, Lindelöf, Maatsen, García, Torres, Bailey, Elliott, Luiz, Abraham
How to watch Man Utd v Villa
➡️ How to watch Manchester United v Aston Villa in the UK: kick-off time, live streams and TV channels
➡️ Manchester United v Aston Villa: FPL tips, predicted line-up, team news and match preview
The post Aston Villa team news as Unai Emery DROPS midfielder for Manchester United match appeared first on AVillaFan.com – Aston Villa Fan Site.