Aston Villa predicted lineup: The club are fresh off European glory, and will travel to Etihad
Just four days after Aston Villa ended their 30-year wait for a trophy with an emphatic 3-0 victory over SC Freiburg in the Europa League final in Istanbul, Unai Emery’s side now travel to the Etihad Stadium for a Premier League finale against Manchester City on Sunday, 24 May, 15:00 UTC.
The Aston Villa predicted lineup for this game carries real intrigue because those legs that ran Freiburg ragged on Wednesday will feel every minute of that occasion on a Manchester afternoon. Both clubs have already confirmed their Champions League places for next season, leaving this fixture with limited table stakes but considerable pride on the line.
Aston Villa predicted lineup: the formation and key selection calls
Emery should line up in his trusted 4-2-3-1, with Emiliano Martínez in goal behind a back four of Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, and Lucas Digne. The double pivot of Victor Nilsson Lindelöf and Youri Tielemans should sit just ahead of the defence, with John McGinn, Morgan Rogers, and Emiliano Buendía operating across the attacking midfield band behind Ollie Watkins.
Tielemans, Buendía, and Rogers were all on the scoresheet in Istanbul, so Emery has every reason to keep faith with exactly that creative trio here. The double pivot is where the selection becomes particularly interesting, because Boubacar Kamara misses out through injury and Amadou Onana has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, leaving Emery short of his preferred midfield options and forcing Lindelöf into a more central role than usual.
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Aston Villa predicted lineup: Can they sustain the momentum from Istanbul?
Watkins scored twice in Villa’s 4-2 win over Liverpool on 15 May, demonstrating the kind of relentless finishing that has defined his season. Historically, Manchester City have dominated this fixture, winning 32 of the last 49 head-to-head meetings. City currently sit second in the standings with 78 points, while Villa are in fourth with 62.
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Those numbers favour the hosts, but Villa carry the confidence of champions. The Aston Villa predicted lineup for this game is essentially the same XI that dismantled Freiburg, and that squad will not want the party to end at the full-time whistle in Istanbul.
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Emiliano Martínez — Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Lucas Digne — Victor Nilsson Lindelöf, Youri Tielemans — John McGinn, Morgan Rogers, Emiliano Buendía — Ollie Watkins.
