Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Bologna: ‘assertive’ attacker gets rare nod but ‘awful’ duo keep spots

Aston Villa get their Europa League campaign underway this Thursday evening as they play host to Italian Serie A outfit Bologna.

The Villans will be eager to shake off the shackles of their dispiriting start to the new season as they shift their focus to a new competition. Still yet to win in any competitive outing in 2025/26, Villa will be hoping they can repeat last season’s success against the same opponents as they beat Bologna 2-0 in the league phase of the Champions League.

Unai Emery has been as frustrated as anyone by Villa’s start to the new campaign, and he even went as far as calling his players out for being ‘lazy’ in the 1-1 draw at 10-man Sunderland. We reckon Emery could make several changes this midweek as he aims to shift the momentum back in his side’s favour.

Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Bologna

With all of that in mind, here’s the starting XI we reckon Emery will name against Bologna.

GK - Emiliano Martinez: The World Cup winner is back in the team despite his controversial attempt to leave in the summer. It will take a while for Martinez to be forgiven by the fanbase but he needs to crack on.

RB - Matty Cash: A scorer at the weekend and Villa’s best option at right-back, Cash has no risk of losing his spot. Andres Garcia is still a little way off being back in contention.

CB - Ezri Konsa: It’s integral that Konsa gets back to form sooner rather than later, especially with the World Cup coming up. The defender will be desperate to help his side right their wrongs.

CB - Pau Torres: It’s a toss up most weeks between Pau and Tyrone Mings, but the former is perhaps better-suited to this fixture. Villa need to be more incisive with their passing out from the back.

LB - Ian Maatsen: The Dutchman could get the nod ahead of Lucas Digne, who has been poor so far. Maatsen will be eager to convince Emery to start him most weeks; he just needs an opportunity to prove that.

CM - Boubacar Kamara: Now back from injury, Kamara returning to the XI is a significant boost for Villa. Although he’s not too involved in attack, his presence gives his midfield and forward counterparts more license to roam.

CM - John McGinn: As Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana remain doubts, McGinn will probably continue in the double pivot. The skipper has struggled so far this campaign and needs to get his act together.

CAM - Morgan Rogers: It’s been an awful start for Rogers but Emery never drops the number 27 when he’s fit. In reality, there aren’t many players in this squad who can change games in an instant like Rogers can. He just needs to rediscover his mojo.

RW - Harvey Elliott: Deadline day signing Elliott scored on his first start for Villa and he deserves to get back in the XI. Emery criticised the Liverpool loanee for passing ‘too quickly’ at Sunderland, but he’s bound to see his game time gradually increase.

LW - Jadon Sancho: Direct and a strong dribbler, Sancho starting could help Villa become a little more creative and assertive in the final third. It can’t get much worse than it has been already, so it’s worth a try.

ST - Ollie Watkins: Villa’s number 11, another in awful form, has really struggled to make an impact in the opening six games but we all know what he’s capable of. If the service improves, Watkins could end his hunt for a first goal of the campaign.