Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Fulham: Emery commits to bold Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins decisions

Aston Villa return to Premier League action this Sunday as they play host to Fulham at Villa Park.

Unai Emery’s side will be looking to build confidence this weekend after finally clinching their first win of the season, at home to Bologna in the Europa League opener on Thursday night. Although it wasn’t the most glorifying performance, John McGinn’s 13th-minute half-volley was enough to secure all three points.

Villa looked like they had their bounce back in the first half but it petered out in the second. Emery will be determined for his side to display better consistency in their structure as they take on Fulham, never an easy opponent.

The Cottagers, currently eighth in the Premier League standings following two wins, two draws and one defeat, will be looking to end their Villa Park hoodoo as they have been victorious on just one of their last 21 visits to B6.

Emery has several selection dilemmas to consider, including whether to start Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers after faltering displays against Bologna. Watkins did well for the most part but missed a penalty, whereas Rogers seemed to struggle every time he received the ball. Meanwhile, in defence, Emery needs to decide whether to bring Lucas Digne and Tyrone Mings back in, or whether to stick with Ian Maatsen and Pau Torres.

Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Fulham

With all of that in mind, here’s the starting XI we reckon Emery will name against Marco Silva’s Fulham.

GK - Emiliano Martinez: The World Cup winner missed the win over Bologna with a minor injury but Emery is hopeful he will be able to play this weekend. As long as Martinez completes at least one training session, he’s bound to come back in for Marco Bizot.

RB - Matty Cash: A scorer last weekend and proving to be Villa’s best option at right-back, Cash has no risk of losing his spot. Andres Garcia is still a little way off making a start, anyway.

CB - Ezri Konsa: It’s integral that Konsa gets back to form sooner rather than later, especially with the World Cup coming up. The defender did well against Bologna and will be eager to kick on from there.

CB - Pau Torres: It’s a toss up most weeks between Pau and Tyrone Mings, but the former really helped Villa with their structure midweek. Although Mings is imperious in the air, Pau’s passing ability helps Villa progress between the lines.

LB - Lucas Digne: Although Digne hasn’t played particularly well of late, Maatsen didn’t really do enough on Thursday to warrant starting instead. It’s a close call, but Digne probably wins for his better defensive attributes.

CM - Boubacar Kamara: Now fully back up to speed, Kamara returning to the XI is a significant boost for Villa. Although he’s not too involved in attack, his presence gives his midfield and forward counterparts more license to roam.

CM - John McGinn: As Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana remain doubts, McGinn will probably continue in the double pivot. The skipper scored the winning goal midweek and looked in better shape.

CAM - Morgan Rogers: It’s been an awful start to the season for Rogers but Emery admitted to Birmingham World after the Bologna game that he wants the attacking midfielder to experience every moment of this rut to learn from it. As controversial as it is, Rogers will probably start again as a result.

RW - Harvey Elliott: Deadline day signing Elliott somehow didn’t even come off the bench in the Europa League, but that was perhaps with this weekend in mind. Evann Guessand looked leggy and is due a benching.

LW - Emiliano Buendia: As much as Buendia hasn’t dazzled off the left, he’s arguably been Villa’s most creative player in recent weeks. Jadon Sancho will be banging on the door for a start soon, though, so he could be in with a chance of playing.

ST - Ollie Watkins: Villa’s number 11, another in awful form, is on the longest run without a goal in his career (nine games). Starting Donyell Malen is an option but Watkins, despite missing his penalty, looked a threat midweek. He’s Villa’s all-time top goalscorer, after all.