Unai Emery could make some controversial rotation choices as Aston Villa host Bologna in the UEFA Champions League.

Villa Park welcomes elite European competition for the second time this season as Italian Serie A side Bologna arrive in town on Tuesday night.

The Villans will be seeking to make it three wins out of three in the Champions League following victories over Young Boys and Bayern Munich to kick-start the campaign. Villa are also unbeaten in their last nine fixtures full stop, with their last taste of defeat coming against Arsenal on August 24.

Bologna are yet to score in the Champions League this season but they do have a point following a 0-0 draw with Shakhtar Donetsk. One thing the Italians do have on their side is the fact they’ve already experienced an English away trip this term as their other match was a 2-0 defeat away at Liverpool.

Although Bologna are a much easier opponent for Villa than Bayern were, great respect must still be shown as their manager, Vincenzo Italiano, led Fiorentina to two successive Europa Conference League finals before his move in the summer. It could be a trickier game than Villa are expecting.

Nonetheless, an element of rotation is likely as Villa exerted a lot of energy during Saturday’s 3-1 win at Fulham and the fixtures are coming thick and fast. With that in mind, here are the 11 players we reckon Emery will name under the lights on Tuesday.

Aston Villa predicted XI vs Bologna

GK - Emiliano Martinez

Martinez has proved to everyone over recent weeks that he truly is one of - if not the - world’s best. There’s no shifting the Argentine out of the lineup.

RB - Matty Cash

Cash gave away a penalty at the weekend but otherwise had a decent game. The right-back’s return has solved a lot of selection headaches.

CB - Ezri Konsa

Konsa wasn’t quite ready to play at Fulham but should be available to start this one, as harsh as it is to bench Diego Carlos.

CB - Pau Torres

Pau made the costly mistake to let Raul Jimenez through on goal last time out but he’ll be eager to put that right with a response.

Aston Villa's last Champions League outing was a dream come true as Unai Emery's men beat Bayern Munich 1-0. | Getty Images

placeholder image — Aston Villa's last Champions League outing was a dream come true as Unai Emery's men beat Bayern Munich 1-0. | Getty Images

LB - Ian Maatsen

Maatsen has looked promising in cameos and could finally get the nod for a start to guard Lucas Digne against fatigue. But it’s a tough call with Digne playing so well.

RM - Jaden Philogene

Philogene is suspended for the weekend’s hosting of Bournemouth, so Emery might as well get the most out of the winger this Tuesday.

CM - Amadou Onana

Onana has settled in so well since his £50 million arrival from Everton. It’ll be interesting to see how Villa operate with Boubacar Kamara back, but it’s Onana’s spot to lose.

CM - Youri Tielemans

Tielemans works very well in the double pivot, especially when he’s got freedom to roam a little. He’s been one of Villa’s star men so far this season.

LM - John McGinn

McGinn should come back into the side to lead out Villa at home in the Champions League for the first time. That does mean yet another harsh benching, though, this time for Jacob Ramsey.

CAM - Morgan Rogers

Rogers, who scored his second goal of the campaign away at Fulham, is in the form of his life. His direct dribbling gives defenders nightmares.

ST - Ollie Watkins

Watkins already has five goals and two assists to his name this term but he’s yet to score in the Champions League. He’ll want to change that under the lights.