Aston Villa can secure qualification for the next round of the UEFA Europa Conference League if they beat Legia Warsaw on Thursday evening. Unai Emery's side will be full of confidence as they play host to the Polish giants, following an impressive 2-1 comeback victory over Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend.
It's a huge opportunity for the Villans to take away the pressure heading into the final Group E fixture away at HŠK Zrinjski Mostar. It won't be easy, however, as they lost 3-2 to Legia in the reverse fixture and Thursday's opposition have the same motivation to advance to the knockout stages with a victory.
Legia were held to a 2-2 draw by Warta Poznań in their last outing and drew 0-0 with Lech Poznań in the game before that. Kosta Runjaić's side are struggling down in sixth in the Polish Ekstraklasa, well below the expectations set out before them at the start of the season.
Regardless, Emery will show plenty of respect for Legia and is likely to put out a strong lineup, albeit rotated somewhat to allow for a few much-needed rests. Here are the 11 players we reckon will start under the lights at Villa Park.
1. GK - Emi Martinez
Put on one of his best displays of the season last time out and is bound to start the vast majority of games, whatever the competition.
2. RB - Ezri Konsa
Fills in at right-back when needed and does a decent job. Not as effective than when at centre-half, but still more than good enough.
3. CB - Diego Carlos
Played brilliantly at Tottenham and deserves to start again. Emery could have a selection headache soon if Carlos continues his fine form.
4. CB - Clement Lenglet
Emery seems to prioritise European games for Lenglet getting game time and there’s been an improvement over the last couple of appearances.