Yahoo News Aston Villa team news vs Brighton as Unai Emery makes two changes for Premier League return
Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery has named his starting XI to take on Brighton in this afternoon's Premier League clash at Villa Park.
He has made two changes from the side which lost 4-2 against Olympiacos on Thursday night. Pau Torres and Diego Carlos come in for Clement Lenglet and Matty Cash.
Emi Martinez has not yet overcome the hamstring injury which he suffered and Robin Olsen stays in goal, but Alex Moreno returns to the bench.
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Villa come into the game on the back of the defeat in the Europa Conference League, which leaves them with plenty of work to do out in Greece on Thursday to qualify for the final. Brighton, meanwhile, have only won one of their last nine Premier League games, which came against Nottingham Forest in March.
The Seagulls could concede three or more goals in three consecutive league fixtures for the first time since 2011 when they were in the Championship. They have failed to score in eight league matches in 2024, more than any other team.
From back to front, Olsen starts in goal for Villa behind a defence of Ezri Konsa, Carlos, Pau and Lucas Digne. Douglas Luiz will operate alongside John McGinn in midfield.
Morgan Rogers will play from the left and Leon Bailey on the right as Moussa Diaby supports Ollie Watkins in attack.
Villa XI: Olsen, Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne, Luiz, McGinn, Bailey, Rogers, Diaby, Watkins.
Subs: Gauci, Cash, Moreno, Chambers, Lenglet, Duran, Kesler-Hayden, Iroegbunam, Kellyman.
Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Igor, Veltman, Dunk, Webster, Gilmour, Gross, Buonanotte, Adingra, Joao Pedro, Welbeck.
Subs: Steele, Enciso, Moder, Barco, Baleba, Fati, Offiah, Peupion, O'Mahony.
