I expect Unai Emery to make several changes to his Aston Villa starting XI when his side travel to the Vitality Stadium to face Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
With a place in the quarter-finals at stake, Villa have every reason to take the competition seriously. However, their packed schedule, with European football also approaching next week, means Emery must carefully manage his squad.
Villa arrive in confident mood after winning six of their last seven matches, including an impressive 2-1 victory over Manchester City that ended the visitors’ perfect start to the Premier League season.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, will provide a difficult test. They cruised past Lincoln City with a 4-0 victory in the previous round and have since recorded consecutive 3-0 wins over AC Milan and Manchester United.
I believe Emery will rotate without completely sacrificing the attacking threat that has made Villa such a dangerous opponent in recent weeks.
Goalkeeper and defence: Changes expected
Marco Bizot is my expected choice in goal. The goalkeeper started Villa’s 3-1 third-round victory over Coventry City and could be trusted again as Emery considers his options between the posts.
Villa overcame Coventry thanks to a Tammy Abraham brace, with Ross Barkley also finding the net. That performance demonstrated the value of squad rotation, and I expect several players who featured in that encounter to receive another opportunity.
At right-back, Lamare Bogarde could come into the starting XI, allowing Matty Cash to enjoy a rest after his recent involvement.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis is another candidate to feature in defence as Emery looks to distribute minutes across his squad. Tyrone Mings could also be included, bringing experience and physical presence to the back line.
Ian Maatsen, meanwhile, is expected to provide the natural left-sided option, particularly with limited alternatives available at left-back.
My predicted back four is therefore Bogarde, Harwood-Bellis, Mings and Maatsen, although Emery could make adjustments depending on fitness and availability.
Midfield: Goretzka tipped to start
The biggest talking point in my predicted XI is Leon Goretzka’s potential inclusion from the start.
I expect the midfielder to partner Ross Barkley in a double pivot, giving Villa a blend of physical presence, experience and forward movement in the middle of the pitch.
Such a selection would allow Boubacar Kamara and Joao Gomes to be rested, with Emery mindful of the demands of Villa’s upcoming domestic and European fixtures.
Barkley already demonstrated his ability to influence the Carabao Cup tie against Coventry, scoring before half-time. His familiarity with the competition and capacity to contribute around the penalty area make him a strong candidate to feature again.
Goretzka’s potential start would be particularly intriguing. If selected, he would have an opportunity to make an impression and strengthen his case for further involvement.
I expect Villa to maintain a competitive midfield rather than make wholesale changes that could leave the defence exposed against a Bournemouth side arriving with considerable attacking confidence.
Attack: Garnacho decision takes centre stage
Alejandro Garnacho is the selection question I find most interesting ahead of this encounter.
The winger appeared to make progress during the extended international break, but his limited minutes in recent weeks leave uncertainty over whether Emery will hand him a starting role against Bournemouth.
I believe Garnacho has a strong case to feature, particularly in a competition that offers an opportunity for players to build rhythm and confidence. However, a place in the starting XI is not guaranteed, and Emery could instead introduce him from the bench.
I expect Ibrahim Mbaye and Emi Buendia to be considered for attacking positions, while George Hemmings could also be handed an opportunity to impress.
Brian Madjo is my predicted choice to lead the line, with the supporting attackers tasked with supplying pace, creativity and movement around the forward.
The potential inclusion of several younger or less frequently used players would give Villa an opportunity to assess their options while keeping key first-team stars fresh for the matches ahead.
Nevertheless, Bournemouth’s recent results suggest Villa cannot afford to approach this fixture casually. Their consecutive victories over AC Milan and Manchester United underline the threat they pose, particularly if Villa struggle to establish control early on.
My predicted Aston Villa starting XI vs Bournemouth
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Bizot; Bogarde, Harwood-Bellis, Mings, Maatsen; Goretzka, Barkley; Mbaye, Buendia, Hemmings; Madjo.
Garnacho could be the major alternative in attack if Emery decides the winger is ready to take on a more prominent role.
Emery faces a balancing act
For me, this fixture presents Emery with a familiar challenge: keeping Villa competitive while ensuring his key players are not overworked.
The Carabao Cup offers a realistic opportunity to progress towards silverware, but Bournemouth’s current form means rotation must be handled carefully.
Goretzka’s possible inclusion would add considerable interest to the midfield selection, while Garnacho’s situation could become one of the defining decisions in Emery’s team selection.
Villa have already shown they can combine rotation with positive results, as demonstrated against Coventry. Now, they must reproduce that balance against tougher opposition.
My expectation is that Emery will make several changes, give fringe players an opportunity and still field a side capable of reaching the quarter-finals.
Whether Garnacho starts or waits for his opportunity from the bench remains the major question. But if Goretzka is included from the first whistle, Villa could have an interesting combination of experience, energy and attacking potential as they look to continue their Carabao Cup journey.
