£13.5m star starts and Matty Cash returns, Aston Villa predicted XI v Crystal Palace

Aston Villa hope to end a four game losing run when they host Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.

For the first time in Unai Emery's career, he has lost four consecutive matches. The Eagles started the run by beating them in the Carabao Cup and since then they've lost to Spurs and Liverpool in the Premier League and tasted defeat to Club Brugge in the Champions League.

Emery is said to have stayed behind during the international break rather than going home to rest. He's now tasked with putting together a team that is capable of beating Palace.

Over the international break there have been a few injury scares with players returning back earlier than expected. Some got to play for their countries whilst others were quickly returned before they could even step on to the pitch.

Some injuries occurred before the international break and they won’t return in time. This does mean that a few changes will be made from their last fixture, but hopefully that brings a positive result.

Pau Torres, Matty Cash, and Ian Maatsen were all spotted in training on Tuesday which has made for a better situation than what it looked like previously.

Torres was withdrawn from international duty after arriving in Spain with an injury picked up against Liverpool. Maatsen had to withdraw from the Netherlands under-21s squad with an injury too. Ezri Konsa picked up a hip injury in England’s win over Greece, but he too is expected to be fit.

Amadou Onana tore a muscle in his foot whilst playing for Belgium and is expected to be out for a couple of weeks. Boubacar Kamara has a grade one hamstring injury and is unlikely to be fit to play, the same can also be said for Jacob Ramsey.

Matty Cash and Ross Barkley missed matches before the international break with small injuries. Both players are expected to return and that comes at a good time given there are injuries in positions they can fill or be affected by.

Aston Villa predicted XI vs Crystal Palace

Here are the 11 Aston Villa players we reckon will start against Crystal Palace this Saturday.

GK: Emi Martinez

Villa’s first choice goalkeeper. Not likely to be dropped any time soon.

RB: Matty Cash

When Cash has been injured, it’s usually been Konsa that has had to fill in for him. Cash’s injury was described as ‘small’ before the international break, and he should come back.

CB: Ezri Konsa

Hopefully a hip injury doesn’t prevent Konsa from playing at the weekend. It was a short turn around between the fixtures and so maybe that’s why it was decided it was best for Konsa to leave the England camp.

CB: Pau Torres

As mentioned, Torres was withdrawn from international duty. He was seen in training and looked to be moving okay, so you’d expect him to be involved.

LB: Lucas Digne

Digne returns to Bodymoor Heath having registered two assists for France.

RM: Leon Bailey

Started last time out against Liverpool. He's got two assists this season but he'd like to get on the score sheet.

CM: Youri Tielemans

Played against Liverpool however he wasn’t involved with Belgium after asking to be withdrawn. With injuries to Kamara and Onana, Villa’s centre midfield options are slightly limited.

CM: John McGinn

We're 11 games in to the new season and McGinn is yet to get on the score sheet in the league. He netted whilst he was away with Scotland, and so hopefully he'll find himself in a scoring position at the weekend. With Onana injured, the Scotsman is likely to partner Tielemans in the centre of the park.

LM: Jaden Philogene

With Jacob Ramsey injured, is it time to give Philogene a chance? He's only made one league start this season, and is yet to register a goal contribution since his return from Hull.

CF: Morgan Rogers

Recently signed a new long-term contract with the club. We could see an inspired performance from him at the weekend.

ST: Ollie Watkins

Started against Greece last week but then when Harry Kane was fit, he dropped to the bench. Watkins looked to be getting his form back after scoring against Everton, Wolves, and Ipswich Town but he's since been without a goal in four games after netting against Fulham.