Aston Villa team news vs Zrinjski as Unai Emery makes eight changes and hands out debut
Aston Villa news from BirminghamLive as Unai Emery names his side to face Zrinjski Mostar in the Europa Conference League
by John Townley, https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/authors/john-townley/ · Birmingham LiveAston Villa head coach Unai Emery has named his starting XI to face Zrinjski Mostar in the Europa Conference League.
Emery has opted to make eight changes to the team which beat Arsenal last weekend. In come Filip Marschall, Matty Cash, Alex Moreno, Nicolo Zaniolo, Leander Dendoncker, Jacob Ramsey, Moussa Diaby and Jhon Duran.
Villa will secure their passage to the round of 16 if they avoid defeat in Bosnia tonight. Legia Warsaw must beat AZ Alkmaar to stand any chance of topping Group E ahed of Villa.
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Emery’s side beat Legia 2-1 at Villa Park a fortnight ago to take control of the group heading into the final round of group stage fixtures. Villa had lost to the Polish club in their first group stage match, but responded by winning four matches in a row.
Marschall makes his senior debut for Villa in goal and will play behind a defence of Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres and Moreno. Dendoncker partners Douglas Luiz in midfield.
Zaniolo will likely operate from the right and Ramsey off the left as they support Diaby and Duran in attack.
Villa XI: Marschall, Cash, Konsa, Pau, Moreno, Zaniolo, Dendoncker, Luiz, Ramsey, Diaby, Duran.
Subs: Martinez, Carlos, McGinn, Watkins, Digne, Chambers, Kamara, O'Reilly.
Mostar XI: Maric, Canadija, Corluka, Zlomislic, Radic, Malekinusic, Ivancic, Cuze, Jakovljevic, Memija, Bilbija.
Subs: Sefo, Marin, Sablic, Kis, Hrvanovic, Misic, Prskalo, Senic.
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