Aston Villa will host Southampton at Villa Park this Saturday in a Premier League clash featuring two sides at opposite ends of the table. Unai Emery's Villa are looking to build on their midweek victory against Brentford, while Southampton, rooted at the bottom of the league, aim to recover from a crushing defeat to Chelsea.
Villa, now seventh in the league, boast an impressive home record under Emery and have dominated this fixture in recent encounters.
Conversely, Southampton, plagued by injuries and suspensions, face an uphill battle as they remain winless away from home since February.
Aston Villa Team News
Unai Emery is expected to rotate his squad with one eye on an upcoming Champions League fixture. Emiliano Martínez will continue in goal, with Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, and Ian Maatsen forming the defensive line.
In midfield, Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans are set to anchor, supporting an attacking trio of Leon Bailey, Morgan Rogers, and John McGinn. Ollie Watkins, who needs one more goal to match Dwight Yorke’s club record at Villa Park, is likely to lead the line.
Jacob Ramsey remains unavailable due to a hamstring injury, while Amadou Onana could return to the bench after recovering from a foot issue. Tyrone Mings, who started midweek, might be rested, paving the way for Diego Carlos to feature.
Aston Villa Predicted Lineup
Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen; Kamara, Tielemans; Bailey, Rogers, McGinn; Watkins
Here is how the side last lined up
Southampton Team News
Southampton’s midweek lineup suffered significant disruptions, and further changes are expected due to suspensions and injuries.
Joe Lumley is likely to continue in goal, shielded by a defensive line including Yukinari Sugawara, Kyle Walker-Peters, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, and Ryan Manning.
Flynn Downes could anchor the midfield alongside Joe Aribo, with support from Tyler Dibling, Kamaldeen Sulemana, and Stuart Armstrong. Cameron Archer may start as the lone striker.
Jack Stephens is suspended, while first-choice goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and midfielder Will Smallbone remain sidelined. Manager Russell Martin will hope for contributions from returning players like Jan Bednarek and Paul Onuachu to provide some much-needed stability.
Southampton Predicted Lineup
Lumley; Sugawara, Walker-Peters, Harwood-Bellis, Wood, Manning; Dibling, Aribo, Downes, Fernandes; Archer
Aston Villa 
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