Unai Emery weighs up £30m swap as Emi Martinez call made - Aston Villa predicted XI v Fulham - gallery
Here’s how we predict Aston Villa’s starting lineup to look against Fulham in the Premier League on Tuesday.
Aston Villa play host to Fulham in the Premier League on Tuesday night as Unai Emery’s side look to extend their impressive unbeaten streak to 10 games. The run continued with a 1-1 draw at Brentford on the weekend, with Douglas Luiz scoring a late equaliser.
It’ll be a tough ask with more games played than other clubs in and around them, but the fight for European qualification is still very much on for Villa. Currently in sixth spot and without a defeat since the 4-2 to Arsenal on February 18, confidence is certainly in the Villans’ favour.
This midweek’s opponents, the Cottagers, have fallen away from said European battle but haven’t given up on their season just yet. They’ve been victorious in their two previous outings - a 2-1 home success over Leeds United on Saturday the most recent of those - and will want to end the campaign on a high.
It’ll no doubt be a tough test under the lights for Emery’s men, especially after a drop in performance levels at Brentford. With that in mind, we think the Villa head coach will switch things up a little, with opportunities for two players to come into the starting XI. See below.
1. Aston Villa predicted starting lineup vs Fulham
Here are the 11 players we reckon Emery will choose this Tuesday.
2. GK - Emi Martinez
Was forced off through illness at Brentford but Emery said there’s a chance he will play. The decision will be made on Tuesday morning - but we reckon he’ll be ok.
3. RB - Ezri Konsa
We reckon this could be the time Emery switches things up after Villa’s defence was finally beaten. Moving Konsa to right-back allows the inclusion of Diego Carlos - and Ashley Young struggled on Saturday so it would make sense to take him out.
4. CB - Diego Carlos
Emery will likely be weighing up whether this is the time to give the £30m signing his chance after returning from injury. With fixture congestion mounting, we think it could be done.