Aston Villa team news: No natural full-backs for Viking clash
Villa are looking to extend their perfect start to the group stage.
Unai Emery has selected a starting XI with no natural full-backs for Villa’s Champions League clash with Viking.
With Ian Maatsen having only just recovered from injury, the Villa boss was already facing a headache over who to play at left-back.
But his team selection for Wednesday night’s match has delivered an even bigger surprise with right-back Matty Cash on the bench, along with the only partially fit Maatsen.
Victor Lindelof, Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are the only defenders in the team, with John McGinn favourite to deputise at left-back.
McGinn and Torres have both been brought into the side which started Saturday’s 1-0 win at Newcastle, along with Ibrahim Mbaye and Ross Barkley.
Cash and Boubacar Kamara have dropped to the bench, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Johan Manzambi missing out with injury.
Villa are looking to continue their perfect start to the Champions League group phase, having won their first two fixtures.
Villa (4-2-3-1): Suzuki, Lindelof, Mings, Torres, McGinn, Barkley, Gomes, Alysson, Buendia, Mbaye, Jackson Subs: Cash, Harwood-Bellis, Kamara, Garnacho, Abraham, Maatsen, Bogarde, Goretzka, Hemmings, Wright (gk), Bizot (gk).
Comment Guidelines
Iconic Media encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.