After a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday, Aston Villa will look to get things back on track when they visit Belgium to face Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.
Upon their return to Europe, the Villans have enjoyed an excellent UEFA Champions League campaign thus far. They sit at the apex of the standings with three wins in as many games and with a goal difference of +6, much to the delight of the manager Unai Emery.
However, Emery would have been disappointed with the way his team capitulated in the second half against Tottenham. So, the Spaniard will expect a strong response from his boys against Club Brugge at the Jan Breydel Stadium.
Aston Villa Team News
Matty Cash is a major doubt for the game at Brugge after being forced off with a suspected calf injury in the defeat to Spurs. Unai Emery remains hopeful over Morgan Rogers, who was withdrawn in the second half as a precautionary measure having undergone treatment on the pitch.
Predicted Aston Villa lineup vs Club Brugge (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
One of the best goalkeepers across the continent, Emiliano Martinez will be hoping to produce a strong display and keep a clean sheet in Belgium after conceding four goals at Spurs.
Defence
A suspected calf injury to Matty Cash in north London means Emery will be forced to make changes at the back. Ezri Konsa is likely to move to the right-back spot, replacing Cash in the process.
Diego Carlos, who came on as a second-half substitute on Sunday, will partner Pau Torres at the heart of Villa’s defence. Lucas Digne is certain to keep his spot at left-back. After conceding four at the weekend, Emery will expect a better showing from the entire defensive unit against Club Brugge.
Midfield
Amadou Onana and Youri Tielemans must form the double pivot in the middle of the park. The Belgian duo will be hoping to take control of the game with their passing ability and reading of the game.
A strong base behind would allow Morgan Rogers to use his creativity and flair to unlock the Brugge defence. He was arguably Villa’s best player in the big defeat to Spurs, so a lot of the team’s play is expected to go through him.
Attack
Emery may mix up a bit in attack by bringing in the pacey and agile Leon Bailey in place of Jacob Ramsey out wide. Bailey’s flair and directness could cause problems for the Brugge defence. From the other flank, John McGinn will hope to add energy and vigour to the visitors’ attack.
Even though Ollie Watkins was largely anonymous in the second half against Spurs, the Villa boss could stick with him up front and bring the in-form Jhon Duran off the bench once again. The likes of Ross Barkley, Jaden Philogene and Boubacar Kamara should get minutes in the second half of this juicy European encounter.
