Aston Villa vs Stevenage starting lineups confirmed - as Unai Emery makes 8 changes in FA Cup

Kick off is fast approaching for Aston Villa vs Stevenage as both teams hope to advance through to the Fourth Round of the Emirates FA Cup. The hosts head into the clash in mixed form having earned a surprise 2-0 win away at Tottenham Hotspur before being held to a disappointing 1-1 draw in the West Midlands derby against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The visitors currently hold one of three automatic promotion places in League Two as they have earned 15 victories and six draws in 24 league matches this campaign. Second only to Leyton Orient, who they have a game in hand on, Stevenage have been on fire under their 60-year-old head coach, Steve Evans.

Unai Emery has decided to heavily rotate his squad for the clash but the starting lineup remains a strong one as it is made up of 11 first-teamers. Robin Olsen starts between the sticks on his 33rd birthday, with Matty Cash, Calum Chambers, Jan Bednarek and fellow Swede, Ludwig Augustinsson, making up a back four.

Philippe Coutinho earns his first start under the new manager and the Brazilian will be joined by Leon Bailey and Danny Ings to form what looks to be a front three. Morgan Sanson sits alongside Leander Dendoncker and Douglas Luiz in midfield. Here are the full starting lineups for both sides, as well as those on the substitutes’ benches.

Aston Villa starting lineup and subs vs Stevenage

Villa starting XI: Olsen (GK); Cash, Chambers, Bednarek, Augustinsson; Sanson, Dendoncker, D. Luiz; Coutinho, Bailey, Ings.

Villa subs: Martinez (GK); Mings, Buendia, Watkins, A. Young, K. Young, Digne, Ramsey, Kamara.

Stevenage starting lineup and subs vs Aston Villa

Stevenage starting XI: Ashby-Hammond (GK); James-Wildin, Clark, Reeves, Piergianni, Sweeney, Taylor, Norris, Roberts, Vancooten, Rose.

Stevenage subs: Chapman (GK), Campbell, K. Smith, Bostwick, Reid, Amoo.