Bizot starts but new striker benched: how Aston Villa's mighty new side could line up in season opener
Aston Villa’s opening Premier League fixture is just a month away
With the opening weekend of the Premier League season just four weeks away, excitement is beginning to build. Nowhere more so than at Villa Park, where a third successive season of European football is in the offing for Unai Emery’s Aston Villa.
The Villains were vastly unlucky not to qualify for the Champions League on the final day last season but could yet see that as a blessing in disguise, as the Europa League could offer them a chance to go all the way and win a major European trophy under competition specialist Emery.
Villa’s transfer business has been quiet thus far, but it could yet burst into life as we head towards August. But with the dawn of the Premier League season on the horizon, we decided to take a look at how Villa could line up as things stand when they host Newcastle United at Villa Park at 12:30pm BST on Saturday, August 16.
How Aston Villa could line up defensively on the opening day
GK: Marco Bizot - His signing has not yet been officially completed, but Brest goalkeeper Marco Bizot is set to arrive at Villa Park to compete with Emiliano Martinez, who is expected to leave the club. Even if the Argentine sticks around, he will be suspended on the opening day after his red card at Old Trafford last time out. Bizot, therefore, looks set to start if he does complete his move in the coming days.
RB: Matty Cash - Poland international Cash has been a solid performer for Villa for several seasons now and will likely continue to bomb up the right flank against the Magpies, though he may have his work cut out by one or both of Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes.
CB: Ezri Konsa & Pau Torres - Emery’s first-choice centre-back pairing at the back end of last season. Teenager Yasin Ozcan has been signed from Turkey to provide additional back-up to Konsa and Torres, who will have the difficult task of dealing with Alexander Isak.
LB: Ian Maatsen - Lucas Digne was Villa’s regular first-choice last campaign, but the French international may leave for £10m this summer. Even if he does not depart, 23-year-old Maatsen may be given more of a run in the side next year. He could start on the opening day if uncertainty surrounding Digne’s future continues.
How Aston Villa could look in midfield and attack
CM: Boubacar Kamara & Youri Tielemans - Amadou Onana could have something to say about this, but we just give Kamara and Tielemans the nod in central midfield. Kamara will have the job of breaking up play and distributing onto the likes of Tielemans, who often acts as a deep-lying playmaker for Villa while doing his share of the defensive work in midfield.
LM: John McGinn - Although somewhat of an unfamiliar position for midfielder and club captain McGinn, the Scotsman was deployed from the left often last season and may continue there against Newcastle. He could play a key role helping out Maatsen against Anthony Elanga and Tino Livramento down the Newcastle right.
CAM: Morgan Rogers - Though Tielemans could also conceivably play here with Rogers on the right, we have gone for Rogers playing in his preferred position in attacking midfield. The will-be 23-year-old will have the opportunity to cause havoc driving at the Magpies defence. Villa will sincerely hope still to have him within their ranks come August 16.
RM: Donyell Malen - With Leon Bailey expected to depart, Fenerbahce one of the reported potential suitors, January signing Malen may get a chance from the start if a new signing is not brought in by the opening day. The 26-year-old largely featured from the bench last season, so would relish the chance to make an impact from the start at Villa Park.
ST: Ollie Watkins - Another one who Villa will hope remains at the club for the start of the new season. Watkins has been linked with a £60m move to the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United in recent weeks, but Emery and fans will hope that his heart remains at Villa Park. Watkins will lead the line in front of 19-year-old new signing Zepiqueno Redmond, who has signed on a free transfer from Feyenoord with a big reputation and may get a chance to make an impact off the bench.