Aston Villa take on Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend in what shapes up to potentially be one of the best Premier League fixtures of the 2023/24 season.
Both qualifiers for Europe last term, Villa and Brighton have ruffled the feathers of the top seven consistently over the last 12 months and are hoping to go one step further this campaign.
Unai Emery and Roberto De Zerbi have established themselves as two of the greatest tacticians in the division but only one team can come out on top this weekend.
The last four meetings between the sides have gone Villa’s way, with two 2-1 scorelines and a double of 2-0s. Emery is eager to make it five in five while Albion want to end the streak.
Rotating back to a stronger lineup from the 2-1 defeat to Everton midweek, here are the 11 players we think will start in claret and blue on Saturday afternoon.
5. LB - Lucas Digne
With Alex Moreno still not back, Digne is probably going to have to take on most minutes for a while. | AFP via Getty Images
6. RM - John McGinn
Played just 45 minutes midweek in order to be rested enough for the weekend. Moves back into midfield after a stint at left-back. | Getty Images
7. CM - Douglas Luiz
One of the most reliable options in the entire Villa squad and will be key to winning a tricky midfield battle against Brighton. | Getty Images
8. CM - Boubacar Kamara
In far better form than Leander Dendoncker and Youri Tielemans, with the latter rather lethargic midweek. Was sensational in the win at Chelsea. | Getty Images