Aston Villa stages European group stage football at Villa Park for the first time in 14-years as they host surprise package HSK Zrinjski Mostar from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Villains are high on confidence after beating Brighton & Hove Albion 6-1 in the lunch-time kick-off on Saturday. Ollie Watkins scored a hat-trick, whilst Jacob Ramsey and Douglas Luiz also got in on the action.
Villa suffered a 3-2 defeat to Legia Warszaw in their opening group stage match, and so a win is needed here if they want to progress to the group stage. Unai Emery has a dilemma on his hands as he will want to give his side the best chance of progressing but there is also a Midlands Derby against Wolves to think about on Sunday.
He’s been dealt a blow with Boubacar Kamara, Jacob Ramsey, and club record signing Moussa Diaby were all ruled out. Leon Bailey could make a return to action and so there at least some changes to be made to the starting XI.
Zrinjski Mostar claimed a shock win over AZ Alkmaar, coming back from three goals down to win 4-3 at the Stadion Bijeli Brijeg so they will be no push overs. Club captain Nemanja Bilbija and Tomislav Kis are two men that the Villa defence will have to keep quiet. Bilbija has 10 goals in 16 games, meanwhile Croatian forward Kis has six goals in 15.
The most used formation this season has been a 4-2-3-1, and that is what brought us six goals against Brighton, so that shape should remain the same. Several changes are being tipped to freshen up the side, but this side should still be capable of winning.
With that in mind, flick through the pages to see the 11 players we predict Villa to start, and the nine substitutes as well as a brief explanation for each inclusion.
1. Emiliano Martinez
First choice goalkeeper, and so he should feature again on Thursday, despite the possibility of rotation. Photo: Getty Images
2. RB: Matty Cash
A sublime display at the weekend, and one of the players who should remain. Photo: George Wood/Getty Images)
3. CB - Pau Torres
Torres has played a lot of football this term already - but it’d be good for him to help Carlos through the game. Photo: Getty Images
4. CB: Diego Carlos
It’d be good to build up Diego Carlos match fitness after being an unused substitute for the last two matches, and not featuring since Liverpool at the start of September. Photo: Clive Mason/Getty Images)