Unai Emery makes early Aston Villa selection hint before West Ham trip

John McGinn's three-match suspension has left Aston Villa in a tricky position ahead of their next three Premier League fixtures but Unai Emery is optimistic about the skipper's replacements.

McGinn was shown a straight red card during Villa's 4-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur for an aggressive swipe at the legs of Destiny Udogie. Referee Chris Kavanagh was unimpressed by the ferocity of the challenge and VAR agreed, meaning the Villans' skipper will be unavailable for the fixtures against West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester City.

Villa have already had trouble with midfield selections as Boubacar Kamara, one of the first names on the team sheet alongside Douglas Luiz in the centre, suffered a season-ending injury against Manchester United in February. McGinn was utilised as a wide midfielder for much of the campaign but he had to step infield in Kamara's absence. Now the void has to be filled once again.

When asked whether McGinn's suspension will stretch the squad even further, Emery said: "Yes, but we have Tim Iroegbunam and he played on Thursday in Amsterdam. Today he played 20 minutes. We have as well Douglas Luiz and Youri Tielemans."

What was added suggests the latter two won't play together, with a hint made. "Of course, they are two similar players and sometimes they need one 'stopper' player with characteristics different close to them. But I will give them opportunities, in the case of Tim or Douglas and Tielemans there, trying to protect him," Emery said.

Iroegbunam made merely his second-ever senior Villa start at Johan Cruyff Arena on Thursday; a huge risk taken by Emery to field an experienced player in such an important fixture. But the decision was a strong indication of the belief Emery has in the 20-year-old. A lad from Great Barr, an area merely a couple of miles from the walls of Villa Park, Iroegbunam not only possesses talent and potential but also a local drive for success. 

Emery has plenty of faith in the young midfielder who has an excellent opportunity to showcase his abilities, starting with the visit to West Ham United on Sunday.