Having previously speculated about Aston Villa’s starting XI for the EFL Cup Second Round clash with Burton Albion yesterday evening, we can finally look towards the 2020/21 Premier League opener against Sheffield United this coming Monday.
We have already welcomed Matty Cash and Ollie Watkins in to freshen up the group and and we can potentially expect to have at least two more in by the time we welcome the Blades and Chris Wilder to Villa Park as we are all awaiting confirmation of the reported signings of Emi Martinez and Bertrand Traore.
If the rumour mill is to be believed, we won’t be finished there either as speculation continues to swirl about Milot Rashica – and of course, we should also be seeing two or three departures as nobody needs 18 senior goalkeepers on their books.
Four PL Debuts If They Sign In Time?
Absolutely
Smith Will Bed Them In A Bit More Slowly
So, on the presumption we see those two come in this week, and the fact I don’t see head coach Dean Smith throwing any youngsters in given our need to get off to a good start, our starting options are.
Gk: Martinez/Steer/Nyland
RB: Cash/Guilbert/Elmo
CB: Konsa/Engels/Hause
CB: Mings
LB: Taylor/Targett
DCM: Douglas/Nakamba
CAM: McGinn/Hourihane
RW: Traore/Trezeguet
LW: Grealish/El Ghazi
ST: Watkins/Samatta
Given the Burton Lineup, it’s easy to assume Smith was part experimenting and part keeping players fresh for the PL kick off, but I think the only two things we learned was that Watkins is bedding in nicely and Jacob Ramsey is clearly worth a closer look this season as he continues to develop.
Nobody else really stood out for me, we know the Mr Reliable’s in the group, we know the weaknesses of others and those who have just never lived up to their billing.
Following on from last night there could easily be five changes without much of an eye being batted.
All that matters is we put an XI out that take the win and get us on our way.
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