Morgan Rogers injury decision made as ‘scintillating’ duo start - Aston Villa predicted XI vs Crystal Palace

Aston Villa head out on the road for the first time in five matches as they travel away to Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Tuesday.

The Villans, fresh off the back of a superb 2-1 comeback victory over Chelsea at the weekend, will be eager to build momentum towards their Champions League push. It won’t be easy to beat Palace, however, with Oliver Glasner’s side victorious in seven of their last 10 matches across all competitions, with just one defeat in that period.

Villa didn’t show much sign of it against Chelsea but the players are bound to be feeling the fatigue as they take on their fourth Premier League game in merely 10 days. Unai Emery may have to rotate in some areas but he will be reluctant to make too many changes as not to disrupt the rhythm.

The main team news talking point ahead of Tuesday’s visit to Selhurst Park is whether Morgan Rogers will start after sustaining a knock on Saturday. The attacking midfielder has been in the XI for 26 of Villa’s 27 league fixtures so far this season, so he’d be a big miss if he isn’t fit to play.

Emery, speaking immediately after the Chelsea win, was hopeful Rogers would be involved against Palace but he did take quite the kick and will be fortunate to be in the XI. Another consideration is whether to start Marcus Rashford after the Manchester United loanee assisted both of Marco Asensio’s goals last time out.

In defence, we could see some movement in the middle with Axel Disasi becoming available once more and Lucas Digne eager to grab his spot back from Ian Maatsen.

Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace

Without further ado, here’s the XI we reckon will be named.

GK - Emi Martinez

Widely regarded as the World’s number one, Martinez is the first name on the team sheet week in and week out. He’s a World Cup winner for a reason.

RB - Matty Cash

Back from injury, Cash played a key role in Villa’s first goal against Chelsea and he should just about stay in the XI ahead of Andres Garcia. It’s a tough call, though.

CB - Axel Disasi

The Chelsea loanee is available once again following his ineligibility at the weekend. He’s bound to start with Villa desperately needing to rotate in defence.

CB - Ezri Konsa

Konsa returned from injury against Chelsea, playing the full 90 minutes. He could move across to the left-sided centre-back role as Tyrone Mings has suffered a knock.

LB - Lucas Digne

Given a rest on Saturday, Digne will be raring to get back in the XI ahead of fellow left-back Maatsen. His assist for Watkins’ header against Liverpool was superb.

CM - John McGinn

We could see McGinn rested but it’s likelier Emery will rotate his midfield pairing for the FA Cup game on Friday. Lamare Bogarde will be waiting in the wings.

CM - Youri Tielemans

Tielemans often prefers playing a little further forward but a deeper role has had to suit recently with Boubacar Kamara and Amadou Onana out.

RM - Leon Bailey

Emery was seriously impressed with Bailey off the bench against Chelsea. Rogers is expected to be fit enough to make the squad but starting may be too much of an ask. He needed a rest anyway, so this is a good excuse to provide that.

LM - Marcus Rashford

Back loving football with a smile on his face, Rashford has been so creative since joining Villa. Two assists off the bench marked a scintillating performance against Chelsea.

CAM - Marco Asensio

The match-winner with two goals at the weekend, Asensio loves the number 10 role and has adjusted to Emery’s structure brilliantly. He’s also building quite the partnership with fellow marquee signing Rashford.

ST - Ollie Watkins

Watkins, back in fine form, is another who could do with a rest at some stage but that’s probably going to be on Friday against Cardiff rather than at Selhurst.