Ezri Konsa and Amadou Onana injury decisions made as Unai Emery rewards £18m sensation - Aston Villa predicted XI vs Fulham

Villa are back in Premier League action this weekend following conclusion of the international break, eager to get back to winning ways after last time out’s bore 0-0 draw with Manchester United.

Emery’s men find themselves fifth in the Premier League standings after seven fixtures, behind Chelsea on goal difference and four points adrift of leaders Liverpool. A victory this weekend would make a huge difference to Villa’s push to become a recognised Champions League outfit, though Fulham aren’t exactly pushovers.

Marco Silva’s side have lost just two of their opening seven matches, winning three and drawing the other two. Fulham pushed Manchester City all the way in the 3-2 defeat at the Etihad Stadium before the international break, while there were recently victories over highly-flying pair Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest.

Villa will know just how tough the trip to Craven Cottage is likely to be and Emery will show plenty of respect to this weekend’s opponents as a result. The head coach can’t just snap his fingers and pick his strongest lineup, however, as Ezri Konsa, Amadou Onana, Jacob Ramsey and Jaden Philogene are all injury doubts.

With decisions made for those four players, here’s the Villa starting XI we predict will take on Fulham.

Aston Villa predicted XI vs Fulham

GK - Emiliano Martinez

Martinez proved to the world against Bayern Munich 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 came into the XI for the first time in several weeks as Villa drew 0-0 with Man Utd. Following a clean sheet in that match, there’s no reason to swap him back out.

CB - Diego Carlos

Carlos will almost certainly start if Ezri Konsa isn’t ready to come back following his hamstring strain. It’s set to be a late call with Konsa working hard to return.

CB - Pau Torres

Pau, one of last year’s marquee additions, is living up to the high expectations set out before him. The Spaniard is in excellent form.

LB - Lucas Digne

Digne has been the preferred choice at left-back so far this season, though that could soon change with Ian Maatsen looking strong during various cameos.

RM - Leon Bailey

Bailey is likely to get the nod with Jaden Philogene now a doubt having picked up a minor injury with England Under-21s.

CM - Ross Barkley

Barkley made his first league start of the campaign against Man Utd and could play again with Amadou Onana unlikely to be risked from the beginning.

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 in recent weeks.

LM - Morgan Rogers

Rogers could shift roles, moving into the left midfield position to facilitate a change further up the field. The England Under-21 international has been superb this term.

ST - Jhon Duran

The Colombian sensation, who is unbelievably averaging a goal every 54 minutes this campaign, simply has to start sooner rather than later. With the current injury situation, this could be the time.

ST - Ollie Watkins

Watkins will be frustrated he didn’t have more involvement for England over the international break but at least he’s been well rested ahead of an important run of fixtures for Villa.