Aston Villa predicted XI gallery vs Villarreal - as Unai Emery makes call on World Cup returnees

Aston Villa are back in mid-season friendly action on Thursday as they play host to Villarreal on home soil. Unai Emery will welcome back plenty of his former players - some of which Villans supporters may be keeping a keen eye on - as the Yellow Submarine take to the grass at Villa Park.

There have been plenty of transfer rumours swirling around about Emery potentially reuniting with one or many of his old colleagues, with the likes of Pau Torres, Samuel Chukwueze and Nicolas Jackson being the subjects of speculation over recent weeks. Villa fans might well be able to judge them in person come Thursday.

Last time out, the Lions earned a surprise 1-0 victory against Chelsea in Dubai as experienced midfielder John McGinn found himself on the scoresheet. Before that, Villa were held to a 2-2 draw by another fellow Premier League side - Brighton & Hove Albion. The squad will be looking to build on those results against Villarreal.

The Spanish outfit have also played two recent friendlies, both against Turkish oppositions. The first saw them lose 2-1 to Fenerbahce, but they responded well three days later with a 4-3 cracker over Galatasaray. Chukwueze, one of those linked with Villa, netted in that game.

It will be a tough challenge for Emery’s men to take on, especially as Villarreal are a top half La Liga side, but his existing knowledge of the opponents could help out somewhat. With that in mind, here is the rather strong starting XI we predicted Emery will go with for the clash.