Ollie Watkins axed: Three Aston Villa players who must now start vs Bournemouth
Aston Villa are aiming to get back to winning ways in the Premier League this weekend as they welcome Bournemouth to the Second City.
Unai Emery‘s side were brushed aside by Liverpool last weekend as they lost 2-0 at Anfield through goals by Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch.
Villa beat Maccabi Tel Aviv 2-0 on Thursday (6 November) in the Europa League, however, and will now turn their attention to a huge game against Bournemouth this Sunday (9 November).
The Cherries have been among some of the league’s best sides so far this term, and sit three points and six places above Emery’s men heading into the clash.
Following their win in midweek, Football Insider have picked out three Aston Villa players who deserve to be handed a start this weekend to help them earn another three points.
Donyell Malen
Ollie Watkins has been a shadow of his former self this season, and his poor campaign continued at Villa Park on Thursday as he was dropped to the bench and saw Donyell Malen play well and score as a centre-forward.
Malen made things happen in attack all evening, and he took his penalty smartly while always providing a threat on the counter for Emery’s side with six shots on goal and the second-most touches of any player in the opposition box.
He is not a striker by trade, nor has he been trusted to play regularly in league games by Emery with just three starts so far, but the Netherlands international is currently Villa’s most in-form forward and deserves the chance to prove his worth against the Cherries.
Ian Maatsen
Ian Maatsen displayed some impressive finishing for a left-back to make it 1-0 at the end of the first-half against Maccabi, and he recovered from a shaky start to give the visitors very little down their right-flank as the game wore on.
The 23-year-old has only started one league game so far this term amid strong competition with Lucas Digne, but deserves a start on Sunday to also show that he has what it takes to become a more regular contributor.
Digne is not getting any younger at 32, and his shaky showing last weekend against Liverpool could also be a catalyst for change at left-back against Bournemouth.
Youri Tielemans
Youri Tielemans made an impressive return to action against Maccabi after nearly two months of being sidelined with a calf injury, as he looked his usual cool, composed self during a late cameo appearance.
He looked to dictate tempo and constantly get on the ball, with just one misplaced pass from 23 attempted, one chance created, one foul drawn and 100% success rate in his crosses, long balls and ground duels.
The Belgian international has been a mainstay under Emery when fit throughout Villa’s impressive last few seasons, and that 15 minutes showed that he is ready to return to the starting eleven to face the Cherries over Amadou Onana.