Yahoo News Aston Villa starting XI vs Wolves predicted as Unai Emery faces two big decisions amid injury update
Aston Villa are looking to win four of their first five Premier League games of a season for only the fourth time as West Midlands rivals Wolves head to Villa Park on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
Unai Emery's side come into the clash on the back of three straight victories in all competitions against Leicester City before the September international break, Everton and BSC Young Boys. The win in Switzerland sets Villa up nicely for back-to-back home Champions League games against Bayern Munich and Bologna, but attention has quickly turned back to domestic duties for now.
Wolves have only lost one of their last five away league games against Villa, though it was in this exact fixture last season. Since the start of March, Wolves have lost more games than any other Premier League team. They’ve also won fewer games and earned fewer points than any other ever present side in that time.
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Gary O'Neil admitted that a trip to Villa Park will be "another massive test" for his team this weekend after they've already faced the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle United in the first four league games this term. Without a win in the league so far this term, Wolves were also knocked out of the Carabao Cup to Brighton in midweek.
Villa could be boosted by the return of Matty Cash on Saturday after the right-back was back out on the grass on Thursday. Emery will give an update on the full-back's progress from injury in today's press conference at Bodymoor Heath.
Leon Bailey returned to the Villa squad in midweek for the Champions League clash with Young Boys, but Jaden Philogene missed out. The Jamaica international could start for Villa given that he hasn't featured since picking up a hamstring injury in the win at Leicester.
If he does, then it would leave Jacob Ramsey vulnerable in the side, but the 23-year-old enjoyed his best performance for a long time in the win at the Wankdorf Stadium last time out following a season of struggles with injury. Emery has plenty of options, which can only be a good thing.
Ollie Watkins is expected to lead the line with Morgan Rogers supporting him. Amadou Onana and Youri Tielemans should also continue in midfield, with Ross Barkley in reserve on the bench. The 30-year-old made a crucial impact off the bench last weekend, helping Villa control the game against Everton.
Emery is yet to hand a start to Ian Maatsen, so Lucas Digne is likely to continue at left-back, while Pau Torres and Ezri Konsa are expected to play at centre-back, especially if Cash is fit enough to play from the off. Young defender Lamare Bogarde was replaced by Diego Carlos at half-time on Tuesday night, which meant Konsa shuffled across to right-back.
Predicted Villa XI vs Wolves: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Pau, Digne, Onana, Tielemans, Bailey, Rogers, McGinn, Watkins.
