Unai Emery makes £52m call as ‘lethargic midfielder’ axed – Aston Villa predicted XI gallery vs Brighton

This weekend’s Premier League match between Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion has the potential to be among the best of the

2023–24 campaign.

Villa and Brighton, who both qualified for Europe last season, have frequently ruffled the top seven’s feathers in the past 12 months

and are expecting to advance further this campaign.

Only one team can win this weekend, despite the fact that Unai Emery and Roberto De Zerbi have established themselves as two of the

best tacticians in the competition.

The last four meetings between the sides have gone Villa’s way, with two 2-1 scorelines and a double of 2-0s. Emery is eager to make it

five in five while Albion want to end the streak.

Rotating back to a stronger lineup from the 2-1 defeat to Everton midweek, here are the 11 players we think will start in claret and blue

on Saturday afternoon.

1. GK – Emi Martinez

Heads back into the team after making way for Robin Olsen in the Carabao Cup.

Could do with a rest but the lack of squad depth makes the Poland international almost a guaranteed starter at current.

Had an usually poor game midweek but will be eager to bounce back, albeit in a rather fatigued state.

The big-money summer signing will be relied upon for much of the campaign with Tyrone Mings out long-term.