Surprise starter in attack as Unai Emery responds to latest injury blow - Aston Villa predicted XI v Liverpool

Aston Villa take on arguably their most difficult home Premier League match of the season as they play host to title favourites Liverpool on Wednesday evening.

Unai Emery’s side are looking for a response following Saturday’s underwhelming 1-1 draw with relegation battlers Ipswich Town, a particularly disappointing result as the Tractor Boys went down to 10 men in the first half. It goes without saying that it won’t be easy to earn more than a point this time around, though, as Liverpool are on a mission at the summit of the standings.

Eager to extend the gap to closest chasers Arsenal to 10 points, the Reds will be determined to put on a good showing at Villa Park. Arne Slot’s men are unbeaten in their last 21 Premier League outings, with a stunning 15 wins and six draws in that time. Villa will have to back themselves to become the first team to beat Liverpool in the league since September but it’s a steep task.

Emery has a few selection dilemmas to consider this midweek, starting in defence. The head coach has confirmed Matty Cash and Ezri Konsa are both facing a race against time to be fit, whereas Boubacar Kamara will miss around two weeks with a back injury. In attack, it’s tricky to decide whether to start superstar signings Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio as the likes of Morgan Rogers and Jacob Ramsey are in such fine form.

With those difficult decisions in mind, here’s the starting XI we reckon Emery will name against the Reds.

Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Liverpool

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 - Andres Garcia

Into the XI a little earlier than expected due to Cash’s injury, Garcia has been hit and miss. It’s perhaps too soon to judge but this is a huge opportunity to impress.

CB - Axel Disasi

Unable to play Chelsea on Saturday due to being ineligible against his parent club, Disasi will almost certainly start this one. Konsa, meanwhile, faces a late fitness test.

CB - Tyrone Mings

Brought back in at the weekend as a substitute against Ipswich, Mings is expected to again replace the injured Kamara at centre-back.

LB - Lucas Digne

Better defensively than Ian Maatsen and still ahead of the Dutchman in the pecking order, Digne is better suited to defending against some of the league’s best wingers.

RW - Marco Asensio

Following two impressive cameos off the bench, Asensio may be in line to make his first start. Leon Bailey, meanwhile, is a doubt.

CM - Youri Tielemans

Tielemans often prefers playing a little further forward but a deeper role will have to suit for now with Kamara, Amadou Onana and Ross Barkley out.

CM - John McGinn

The skipper is going to have to play a lot of minutes over the coming weeks but will be as up for the challenge as anyone. Emery will be demanding his ‘super’ best.

LW - Marcus Rashford

It would be poetic Rashford to score his first Villa goal against Man Utd’s bitter rivals, wouldn’t it? As much as it feels harsh to bench Jacob Ramsey, rotation is likely.

CAM - Morgan Rogers

The 22-year-old will need a rest at some stage but Emery so often persists with starting him. Rogers is arguably Villa’s player of the season, so you can’t blame him.

ST - Donyell Malen

A surprise starter ahead of Ollie Watkins, perhaps, Malen could lead the line as Emery seeks to keep his first-choice striker sharp. Watkins has only just come back from an injury.