Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is poised to make several significant selection decisions for his side's crucial Emirates FA Cup third-round tie away at Tottenham Hotspur this Saturday evening. The match represents a key opportunity for Villa to reignite their form after a frustrating midweek Premier League draw.
Emery Demands Response After Palace Frustration
The Villans travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for their fourth London trip in a fortnight, seeking an immediate return to winning ways. The squad's mood was dampened by a 0-0 draw away at Crystal Palace on Wednesday, a result that left Emery visibly furious. His anger was directed both at his team's profligacy in front of goal and at the match officials for several contentious decisions.
While the Premier League remains the undisputed priority, there is a growing sense within the club that securing a trophy is a pressing objective. A deep run in the FA Cup would bolster that ambition, making this away fixture against fellow top-flight opposition a compelling and important challenge.
Predicted Villa Lineup: Rotations and Key Decisions
Facing Premier League opposition, Emery is expected to rotate his squad selectively rather than making wholesale changes. The predicted lineup showcases a blend of rested key figures and players eager to prove their worth.
In goal, Marco Bizot is anticipated to get a rare start, with cup competitions being the domain for Villa's backup goalkeepers. First-choice Emiliano Martinez is managing an ongoing back issue, felt again at Selhurst Park, making a rest prudent.
The defence could see a fresh look. Andres Garcia may start at right-back to allow Matty Cash and Ezri Konsa to recuperate. In central defence, Victor Lindelof—who has impressed on the left side—could switch to his natural right centre-back role, partnering the returning Pau Torres. Torres, back on the bench midweek after injury, needs minutes to rebuild full fitness with Tyrone Mings also nearing a return. At left-back, the pace of Ian Maatsen might give him the edge over Lucas Digne in what has been a season-long rotation.
Midfield Shake-up and Attackers Under the Spotlight
The engine room is set for changes, with Lamare Bogarde tipped to start at the base of midfield. His versatility provides a perfect utility option, granting a rest to Youri Tielemans and John McGinn. However, the presence of Boubacar Kamara alongside him is considered vital for such a tough away fixture, making him likely to retain his place.
Further forward, Emiliano Buendia is predicted to operate as the central attacking midfielder, a role he has grown into this season after nearly leaving the club in the summer. On the flanks, Morgan Rogers is viewed as undroppable when fit and is certain to start on the left.
The right-wing spot, however, is a major talking point. Despite a lacklustre display at Palace, Jadon Sancho is forecast to keep his place. Emery appears ready to offer the struggling attacker another chance to build confidence in a high-stakes cup environment. Up front, Ollie Watkins could be rotated out, with Donyell Malen's pace utilised to exploit Tottenham's high defensive line, particularly against the rapid Micky van de Ven.
The most intriguing subplot is the anticipated debut of new signing Alysson. The forward is expected to be introduced from the bench, offering a first glimpse of his talents to the Villa faithful in a competitive setting.
This predicted XI underscores Emery's delicate balancing act: respecting the competition's importance, managing player workload, and injecting fresh impetus into a squad seeking a swift reaction after recent disappointment.
