Aston Villa head away to West Ham United on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season. Aston Villa kick off the new Premier League season with a trip away to fellow European hopefuls West Ham United. Unai Emery’s side travel to the capital with gazing eyes upon them from far and wide, expecting the men in claret and blue to deliver following last campaign’s stunning fourth-placed finish.
There’s plenty of promise at West Ham, too, with new manager Jules Lopetegui bolstering his squad with a host of exciting additions. Villa are the main attraction, though, with so much to look forward to with Champions League football on the horizon.
It wasn’t the best pre-season for the Villans, who were defeated in all three of their outings in the United States and dispatched 2-0 by Borussia Dortmund a week later. There were promising wins over Spartak Trnava and Athletic Club, though, meaning not all was lost.
Now is when it truly matters after all, with the friendly fixtures merely fitness and character-building exercises. It’ll be interesting to see just how Villa handle the new, added pressure upon them as they seek to begin the season strongly.
Aston Villa predicted lineup vs West Ham United
Emery has a few dilemmas to consider on the team selection front, with the full-back spots not entirely nailed. Several midfield and attacking positions are hotly contested as well. With that in mind, here’s the Villa starting lineup Birmingham World reporter Charlie Haffenden predicts Emery will name at London Stadium.
GK – Emiliano Martinez
Martinez is without doubt the first-choice goalkeeper – and still arguably the world’s number one, despite his recent squad number change to the meaningful 23.
RB – Matty Cash
The Poland international is likely to start the campaign at right-back, even despite the recent emergence of Kosta Nedeljkovic. The competition should be tough going forward.
CB – Ezri Konsa
Konsa really came into his own last term, impressing at both centre-back and right-back. The former is his preference, though, and we reckon that’s where Emery will start him.
CB – Pau Torres
Pau, one of last year’s marquee additions, will be delighted he decided to take the plunge and move to Villa. The Spaniard fits Emery’s system like a glove.
LB – Lucas Digne
Digne, mister reliable after proving Emery wrong, is the safe choice at left-back. £37 million signing Ian Maatsen’s time will come, but probably not right away.
RM – Leon Bailey
Bailey burst into life last season after struggling at the start of his Villa career. Emery will be hoping for another strong season from the Jamaican.
CM – Amadou Onana
Onana, who cost £50 million from Everton, has settled in very well in a short period of time. He’s bound to start every league game until Boubacar Kamara returns – then it’ll be an interesting battle.
CM – Youri Tielemans
Tielemans has proven to work well in the double pivot, especially when he’s got freedom to roam a little. His international counterpart Onana should facilitate just that.
LM – John McGinn
The skipper was utilised in an array of roles last campaign and that’ll probably be the same for the upcoming term too. A left midfield spot seems the most likely this early on.
CAM – Morgan Rogers
Filling in just behind Watkins, the winter signing has progressed quicker than anyone could’ve expected. He hsouthe winter signing has progressed faster than anyone could’ve ever expected. Emi Buendía will compete but it’s probably Rogers’ place to lose.
ST – Ollie Watkins
The England international contributed a remarkable 19 goals and 13 assists in 37 Premier League gameslast season. He’ll be itching to get going again.. Watkins will be itching to get 2024/25 underway.
