Ollie Watkins to start: Aston Villa predicted XI v Roma
Aston Villa continue their summer preparations with a friendly clash against Roma at Villa Park on Wednesday (6 August).
Unai Emery‘s men have already had a busy pre-season, playing five friendlies so far — including three in the United States against Eintracht Frankfurt, St. Louis City and Nashville SC — winning just once, drawing twice and losing twice.
| Date | Result |
| 16 July | Walsall 1-0 Aston Villa |
| 19 July | Hansa Rostock 3-1 Aston Villa |
| 27 July | Eintracht Frankfurt 2-2 Aston Villa |
| 31 July | St. Louis City 1-2 Aston Villa |
| 2 August | Nashville SC 2-2 Aston Villa |
Now, they return home to face Italian giants Roma, who have won all three of their friendlies so far without conceding a goal as they look to improve on their fifth-place finish in Serie A last season.
So, how could Aston Villa line up for this high-profile friendly at Walsall’s Bescot Stadium?
Aston Villa predicted XI vs Roma
Aston Villa have been without Ross Barkley and Andres Garcia for the whole of pre-season so far due to injury, and neither is expected to return against Roma.
They’re likely to be joined on the treatment table by Lewis Dobbin and new signing Zepiqueno Redmond.
However, Emery can still boast a strong squad, including the likes of Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers and Emi Martinez — despite the uncertainty surrounding the trio’s future.
Roma will be a big test, so Emery will probably field his strongest possible XI as Villa return to Birmingham, looking for just their second win of the summer — though they are now unbeaten in their last three.
Aston Villa to make statement against Roma
Aston Villa have been steadily improving this summer, but they’re by no means at their best just yet, and Emery will want to see major improvements with just 10 days to go before the start of the new Premier League season.
What hasn’t helped is the amount of speculation surrounding their key players, with Martinez, Rogers and Watkins among those linked with a big move away.
But on Wednesday, they can put all the noise to the side — especially with the news they’re closing in on signing of Evann Guessand (Sky Sports, 6 August) — as they take on an impressive Roma side who are in good form this summer.
It’ll be a big test for Villa, but one that they should overcome in front of a home crowd, setting them up nicely for remaining tests against Marseille and Villarreal before the big kick-off at home to Newcastle United on August 16.