‘Dominant’ Tielemans replacement picked as Emery corrects £32m error - Aston Villa predicted XI vs Bournemouth

Aston Villa head out on the road for the penultimate time this season for a pivotal Premier League clash away at AFC Bournemouth.

Unai Emery’s side know they must win all three of their remaining matches to stand any realistic chance of finishing in the top five and qualifying for the Champions League, so this trip to Bournemouth is very important. It won’t be easy to beat the Cherries, though, as they too are chasing European football.

Andoni Iraola’s side head into this game in eighth place, enough for Europa Conference League qualification as long as Manchester City beat Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final. If Bournemouth win all three of their own remaining fixtures, including this one, then they’ll clinch the top-eight finish.

Emery has several selection dilemmas to consider this weekend, not least who he should replace Youri Tielemans with. Villa’s number eight is set to miss a Premier League game for the first time this season after sustaining a muscular injury, so it’s important Emery gets his choice right.

Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Bournemouth

Without further ado, here’s the starting XI we reckon Emery will name at the Vitality Stadium.

GK - Emi Martinez: The two-time Yashin Trophy winner will be frustrated to have conceded so many poor goals this season but will be determined to right his wrongs.

RB - Matty Cash: Locked in and focused, Cash is ahead of Andres Garcia in the pecking order as it stands. The Poland international has been in great form recently.

CB - Ezri Konsa: One of the first names on the team sheet, Konsa has been brilliant throughout 2024/25. The defender will be keen

CB - Tyrone Mings: Overlooked for the past three games, Mings deserves to start due to his own form, let alone that of his counterpart. £32m man Pau Torres, often in Mings’ place, has been out of sorts recently.

LB - Ian Maatsen: The Dutchman has seemingly moved ahead of Lucas Digne as Emery’s preferred left-back. It’s still a tough call, though, and either could feasibly start any of the remaining games.

CM - Boubacar Kamara: Pivotal to Villa for his strength and command at the base of midfield, Kamara can expect to stay in the lineup. Talks are current ongoing over a new, long-term contract.

CM - Amadou Onana: The likeliest choice to replace the injured Tielemans, Onana has done well when called upon recently. A dominant and physical pairing at the base of midfield could be effective.

RM - Morgan Rogers: Undroppable, not many players in world football can charge forward on the ball as well as Rogers does. He’ll be eager to end a six-game wait for a goal.

LM - Jacob Ramsey: One of Villa’s own, Ramsey has had to sit out many games recently but could head back into the lineup as Emery reshapes his midfield.

CAM - John McGinn: The skipper is in better form than Marco Asensio and often does well just in behind the striker, where he can use his low centre of gravity to turn away from defenders and find his attacking counterparts.

ST - Ollie Watkins: Expected to start for the rest of the season now Marcus Rashford is out injured, Watkins will be eager to return to his best form. He’s without a goal in three games.