Manager Unai Emery has named his squad for Aston Villa’s Premier League match against Bournemouth this afternoon.
Villa need to get their Premier League form back on track after a run of just two wins in six games. After successive home defeats, they will look for some relief along the Dorset coast this afternoon.
Emery has immediately reinstated striker Ollie Watkins after he recovered from a minor injury in time to play on the pitch where he became Villa’s record Premier League goalscorer. Tammy Abraham drops onto the couch.
Midfielder Amadou Onana is also fit enough to start, which he does together with new signing Douglas Luiz in a double pivot.
Emery strives for solidity in defense
If Villa’s attacking change was likely in case Watkins was availablea few decisions at the back were not so obvious.
Emery has taken the left side of his backline to the next level, preferring former Bournemouth defender Tyrone Mings in the middle, with Ezri Konsa and Lucas Digne at left-back.
It appears to be a tactical choice based largely on Mings’ abilities as a true centre-back, while the inclusion of Digne suggests a desire to see some quality performances at the other end.
Pau Torres and Ian Maatsen are both among the substitutes. Harvey Elliott and George Hemmings are missing.
Complete news from the Villa team
Starting XI: Martínez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Luiz, Onana, Buendía, Sancho, Rogers, Watkins
substitutes: Bizot, Proctor, Lindelöf, Maarsen, Torres, Bogarde, Bailey, Barkley, Abraham
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