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Team News: Filip Marschall, Jhon Duran among Aston Villa starters against Zrinjski Mostar

sportsmole.co.uk, 14 December 2023, 16:39
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has rung the changes for Thursday's Europa Conference League encounter with Zrinjski Mostar.

The Premier League giants have made the trip to Bosnia-Herzegovina knowing that a point will be enough to earn a spot in the last 16 of the competition, rather than the last 32.

With priority switching to finishing in the top four of the Premier League, Emery has reacted by making eight changes to the team that started against Arsenal last weekend.

Goalkeeper Filip Marschall is handed his first Villa start, while Matty Cash and Alex Moreno are brought into the backline with Ezri Konsa and Pau Torres featuring in the middle.

Douglas Luiz retains his place in the engine room courtesy of being suspended for Sunday's meeting with Brentford, but the rest of the midfield and attack features fresh faces.

Leander Dendoncker will partner Luiz, with Nicolo Zaniolo and Jacob Ramsey being provided with opportunities on the flanks.

Moussa Diaby will offer support to Jhon Duran further forward with Ollie Watkins only being selected on the substitutes' bench and Leon Bailey being left out altogether.

A strong bench has been named with Tommi O'Reilly the only academy player selected as backup.

Zrinjski Mostar: Maric; Canadjija, Corluka, Cuze, Ivancic, Jakovljevic, Malekinusic, Memija, Radic, Zlomislic, Bilbija

Subs: Sefo, Hrvanovic, Kis, Marin, Misac, Prskalo, Sabljic, Senic

Aston Villa: Marschall; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Moreno; Zaniolo, Dendoncker, Luiz, Ramsey; Diaby; Duran

Subs: Martinez, Carlos, McGinn, Watkins, Digne, Chambers, Kamara, O'Reilly

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