Marcus Rashford could return to the starting lineup when Aston Villa make the trip to his hometown to face Manchester City in the Premier League on Tuesday.
The Manchester United loanee was left on the bench at the weekend, despite an excellent performance in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final with Paris Saint-Germain, as Ollie Watkins returned to the side ahead of him.
However, with that performance last midweek in mind, and the fact Rashford netted six goals in Manchester derbies while with the Red Devils, manager Unai Emery could reinstate him here.
That should be alongside Watkins though, who justified his selection with a goal after just 34 seconds in the 4-1 win over Newcastle United on Saturday, moving him level with Gabby Agbonlahorat the top of Villa’s all-time Premier League scoring chart.
Watkins was unfortunate not to claim the outright lead in that list too, hitting the woodwork twice in the first half, in what would have seen him complete a perfect hat trick.
It was Ian Maatsen who put Villa back in front just after the hour at the weekend, serving to be the catalyst behind that big win, and his performance should be enough for him to keep his place at left-back ahead of Lucas Digne for this one.
However, despite scoring a thumping fourth in front of the Holte End, Amadou Onana may remain on the bench for this one, given the recent form of Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara in the engine room.
Centre-back Pau Torres should return here after Emery left him out of the squad over the weekend in order to manage a recent foot injury, while Leon Bailey was also not involved, despite returning to the bench in the PSG clash at Villa last week.
Villa’s only other remaining injury concern has also made a comeback in the last week, with Ross Barkley coming on as a late substitute against both PSG and Newcastle, meaning Emery has a full squad to choose from here.
Aston Villa possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen; Kamara, Tielemans; Rogers, McGinn, Rashford; Watkins
