Watkins starts, Rogers decision: Aston Villa vs Maccabi Tel Aviv starting XI predicted
Unai Emery could make a few changes for Aston Villa’s Europa League clash against Maccabi Tel Aviv
Aston Villa are looking to return to winning ways in the Europa League on Thursday when they host Maccabi Tel Aviv.
It will be the club’s fourth fixture in the competition, following wins over Bologna and Feyenoord, before a shock 2–1 defeat away to Go Ahead Eagles.
Their opponents, Maccabi, have won their last two domestic matches but remain winless in the Europa League, having lost their previous two home games against Midtjylland and Dinamo Zagreb.
Villa face an important Premier League match against fourth-placed Bournemouth on Sunday, and Unai Emery is likely to make changes from the side that lost 2–0 at Liverpool last weekend.
With the third international break of the season coming up after this weekend, a few players are in need of minutes. Lamare Bogarde is one of them, while Ian Maatsen is also expected to start in place of Lucas Digne.
Emi Martínez, who made a costly error at Anfield on Saturday, should keep his place in goal. He has started the last two Europa League matches, although he missed the trip to Feyenoord due to a calf injury.
In defence, Matty Cash could continue at right-back with André Garcia still sidelined. Victor Lindelöf may come into the side to partner Pau Torres, as Tyrone Mings is injured.
Bogarde could be paired in midfield with Amadou Onana, with Boubacar Kamara potentially rested. Ross Barkley, meanwhile, was not registered for the Europa League league phase.
In attack, Ollie Watkins may continue to lead the line as he searches for a much-needed goal, while Harvey Elliott is another player who could benefit from game time.
Donyell Malen’s performance against Burnley – supporting Watkins from a deeper role – may offer Emery a tactical blueprint to unlock Maccabi’s defence.
Predicted Villa XI: Martinez; Cash, Lindelof, Torres, Maatsen; Bogarde, Onana; Guessand, Malen, Sancho; Watkins.
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Watch Aston Villa vs Maccabi Tel Aviv on TNT Sports
Aston Villa continue their UEFA Europa League campaign as they host Maccabi Tel Aviv on November 6. Fans can watch the game on the TNT Sports Prime Video channel.
