Aston Villa vs RB Salzburg Europa League Lineups Confirmed with Key Changes
By Charlie Haffenden, Football Journalist. Published 29th Jan 2026, 18:45 GMT.
The confirmed team news for Aston Villa versus Red Bull Salzburg in the UEFA Europa League has been announced, with both managers, Unai Emery and Thomas Letsch, revealing their starting lineups and substitutes for this evening's pivotal clash at Villa Park.
This match holds significant importance for Aston Villa, who have already secured their place in the last 16 of the competition. A victory tonight would guarantee a spot in the League Phase top two, which carries substantial benefits for the knockout stages.
Strategic Implications for Aston Villa
Finishing in the top two of the League Phase would not only ensure home advantage for all second legs in the knockout rounds but also result in a more favourable draw for the last 16. This could prove crucial given the increasingly congested fixture schedule that teams face as the season progresses.
Despite the high stakes of this Europa League encounter, Unai Emery has chosen to implement a strategy of rotation, making six changes from the side that recently triumphed over Newcastle United. This decision highlights the depth of Villa's squad and their focus on managing player fitness across multiple competitions.
Key Player Changes and Debuts
Among the notable alterations, Liverpool loanee Harvey Elliott makes his first start since September, adding creativity and experience to the midfield. Additionally, talented young midfielder George Hemmings is set for his full debut, showcasing Emery's willingness to trust emerging talent in critical matches.
The full lineups for both teams are as follows:
- Aston Villa XI: Martinez (GK); Bogarde, Lindelof, Mings, Digne; Hemmings, Onana; Elliott, Buendia, Sancho; Watkins.
- Aston Villa subs: Bizot (GK), Wright (GK), Cash, Konsa, Pau, Maatsen, Rogers, Jimoh-Aloba, Young.
- RB Salzburg XI: Schlager (GK); Trummer, Gadou, Schuster, Kratzig; Kitano, Diabate, Bidstrup; Baidoo, Alajbegovic, Konate.
- RB Salzburg subs: Zawieschitzky (GK), Hamzic (GK), Ramussen, Terzic, Bischoff, Onisiwo.
This team news sets the stage for an intriguing Europa League fixture, with Aston Villa aiming to secure a top-two finish and RB Salzburg looking to challenge the Premier League side at Villa Park.
