Two stars axed: How Jadon Sancho, Victor Lindelof and Harvey Elliott could slot into Aston Villa starting XI
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is to shake up his starting XI after three new additions on transfer deadline day.
Aston Villa have started the season poorly, yet to score a goal, and with only one point on the board after three Premier League matches.
The club have been struggling with PSR concerns, which has impacted their transfer business, with academy star Jacob Ramsey joining Newcastle to ease worries.
Jadon Sancho and Harvey Elliott have joined on loan, with an obligation to buy the latter, whilst Victor Lindelof signed as a free agent after leaving Manchester United at the expiry of his contract last season.
Unai Emery to switch formation to integrate new trio
Emery switched to a 4-4-2 formation against Crystal Palace, after beginning the season with a 4-2-3-1 in the opening two fixtures.
To allow Sancho and Elliott to flourish at Villa, Emery could revert back to the latter, with Lindelof taking the place of Tyrone Mings in the left side of defence.
Sancho and Elliott would provide Villa with more threat down either flank, allowing Morgan Rogers to start in the number 10 role.
That would leave two spaces free in-front of the defence for John McGinn, Youri Tielemans, Boubacar Kamara and Amadou Onana to compete for.
Aston Villa worries ease after positive deadline day
Football Insider Verdict
Following a difficult summer to conclude transfers, Emery should be happy with three new signings who will improve his squad.
Emery will now have more options in attacking areas, with 22-year-old Elliott in particular an exciting signing for the club.
Elliott will be keen to kickstart his career, and Villa have fended off plenty of interest in the rising star.
Sancho will also want to reignite his career following a loan spell at Chelsea last season, which ended with the Blues not wanting to sign the 25-year-old.
| Jadon Sancho | Stats |
| Appearances | 42 |
| Goals | 5 |
| Assists | 10 |
Marcus Rashford’s loan from Man United to Villa last season helped the forward earn a move to Barcelona and Emery will be hoping Sancho has a similarly good impact.
Villa’s season now looks more positive following deadline day.