Aston Villa return to action in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night, giving Unai Emery the chance to rotate his squad after Sunday’s thrilling win against Arsenal.
All eyes will be on Aston Villa tomorrow night, as Unai Emery’s side fight for their place in the final four of the Europa Conference League with their second-leg fixture against LOSC Lille.
The Villans carry a narrow one-goal lead with them to France, something that will be needed when taking into account the host’s home record this season under Paulo Fonseca.
It’s poised to be a thriller between the two sides who will be dreaming of a spot in the semi-finals, with Emery now left with a decision to make over selection surrounding one key figure.
Douglas Luiz should start for Aston Villa against LOSC Lille
Against Arsenal, Villa were without their star man Douglas Luiz, who picked up a two-game suspension in the Premier League after receiving 10 yellow cards this term.
There was a lot of anxiety over Villa’s ability to handle the Gunners’ threat in the engine room without both Luiz and Boubacar Kamara however, Emery’s XI passed the test with flying colours in their absence.
That being said, the manager will be delighted to have the Brazilian back, with journalist John Townley expressing his certainty that the 25-year-old will return to the starting XI against Lille.
Speaking on the Claret and Blue podcast, Townley said, “Luiz will come in, I’d put my house on it, he’ll start I’m sure.”
It wouldn’t be a reach to expect Luiz to start, given his influence on the Villans this season however, the next question would be who does the Brazil international replace?
Unai Emery now has a decision to make over Douglas Luiz
Normally, it wouldn’t be difficult for the manager to find a way to work his prized midfielder although given the squad’s performance against Arsenal on Sunday, it will be harsh for the boss to drop one of the XI to accommodate Luiz again.
Unfortunately, that’s football and in a game as significant as a European quarter-final second leg, Emery will of course want his best side on show.
The most obvious switch in personnel would be to switch Moussa Diaby out for Luiz to drop into midfield, seeing one of John McGinn or Youri Tielemans move forward to support in attack.
Read our predicted Aston Villa XI vs LOSC Lille here
The Brazilian can offer so much to his side when being given a license to roam in the engine room, with his combative side just as strong as his ability to influence in the final third, being Villa’s second-highest scorer in the Premier League this term with nine goals.
It looks certain that Luiz will rejoin his teammates in the starting XI against Lille however, only time will tell who faces the axe to see Emery’s jewel return.
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