New role for Disasi as Emery welcomes back ‘midfield enforcer’ - Aston Villa predicted XI vs Club Brugge

Aston Villa are keen to get off to a strong start as they travel to Club Brugge in the first leg of the Champions League last 16.

Revenge is the desired taste for Unai Emery’s side following a shock 1-0 defeat to the same opposition back in November. A bizarre moment cost Villa as Tyrone Mings picked up the ball from Emi Martinez and was penalised when Brugge were awarded a penalty. Hans Vanaken converted from the spot, scoring the only goal of the game.

It was Villa’s first defeat in the league phase and one that significantly worsened the chances of finishing in the top eight. In the end, the Villans managed to win two of their last four matches to just about secure eighth and an immediate spot in the last 16 – but the last experience in Brugge and its implications haven’t been forgotten.

Brugge scraped through into the last 16 play-offs by the skin of their teeth as they finished 24th, narrowly ahead of Dinamo Zagreb on goal difference. Nicky Hayen’s side then caused the surprise of the play-off round with a stunning 5-2 aggregate victory over reigning Europa League champions Atalanta.

The performances may not have been overly convincing as Atalanta dominated the tie across both legs but Brugge were clinical enough to sail through. Emery will be well aware of the threat the Belgian Pro League team could pose and will certainly take them very seriously as a result.

Villa rotated slightly for Friday’s 2-0 win over Cardiff City in the FA Cup fifth round as Emery had one eye on the trip to Brugge. The head coach is likely to pick as strong of a lineup as he possibly can, though there are some restrictions due to injuries.

Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Club Brugge

Without further ado, here are the 11 players we reckon will start at Jan Breydel Stadium.

GK - Emi Martinez

Martinez was delighted to preserve a first clean sheet since January 15 as Villa beat Cardiff at the weekend. The World Cup winner will be eager to keep another.

RB - Axel Disasi

With Matty Cash only just returning, Disasi could be utilised at right-back where he’s played in the past for both Chelsea and Monaco. Andres Garcia, meanwhile, hasn’t been registered.

CB - Ezri Konsa

Konsa has been so reliable for Villa throughout much of this season, very rarely putting on a poor performance. Emery needs him at his best in Bruges.

CB - Pau Torres

The big news from Emery’s pre-match press conference is that Pau is now back and ready for selection. The Spaniard had been sidelined for two months with a broken metatarsal.

LB - Lucas Digne

Given a rest on Friday, Digne - ahead in the pecking order usually - will be raring to get back in the XI ahead of fellow left-back Ian Maatsen.

CM - John McGinn

McGinn is likely to get the nod ahead of midfield enforcer Boubacar Kamara, who Emery said is ready to be welcomed back for more minutes but not necessarily a start. Amadou Onana remains out, as does Ross Barkley.

CM - Youri Tielemans

Tielemans often prefers playing a little further forward but a deeper role has had to suit recently following the acquisition of Asensio.

RM - Morgan Rogers

Rogers finally had somewhat of a rest as he was benched and only came on as a substitute last time out. He should now have the energy to threaten down the right flank.

LM - Marcus Rashford

Back loving football with a smile on his face, Rashford has been so creative since joining Villa and he’s already formed a brilliant partnership with Asensio.

CAM - Marco Asensio

The match-winner with a brace against Chelsea and then another two goals in the win over Cardiff, Asensio has settled in superbly.

ST - Ollie Watkins

Watkins hasn’t scored in his last three matches but he’s assisted goals in the last two and remains the best striker at the club. Donyell Malen is another who missed out on registration.

In other news, Villa have reportedly initiated contact to sign a £55 million Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur transfer target.