Aston Villa get their long-awaited UEFA Europa Conference League group stage campaign underway on Thursday evening as they travel to Poland to face Legia Warszawa.
Unai Emery’s side swept Scottish Premiership side Hibernian aside by an 8-0 aggregate score in the play-off round but the proper action is only just getting underway.
Trips to AZ Alkmaar and HŠK Zrinjski Mostar await but first up is a trip to the Polish capital to face Legia, who are currently unbeaten in the Ekstraklasa.
Four wins and two draws in six league matches mean Kosta Runjaic’s side are buoying with confidence heading into this one and Villa will have to take them very seriously.
Emery showed a lot of respect to Hibs in the previous European fixtures and we think it’ll be a very similar case here, with a strong lineup set to be fielded.
With that in mind, flick through the pages to see the 11 players we predict Villa to start at Stadion Narodowy, as well as a brief explanation for each inclusion.
1. GK - Emi Martinez
Likely to be the first-choice goalkeeper in Europe ahead of Olsen, who will probably get minutes in the cups.
2. RB - Matty Cash
Solifidying his place at right-back recently, Cash is in good form with three goals in his last four Villa appearances.
3. CB - Ezri Konsa
Vitally important to Emery and his system, Konsa will play most games in all competitions this term.
4. CB - Pau Torres
Vastly experienced in Europe already and will be eager to make the left-sided centre-back spot his own.