Aston Villa boss Unai Emery will have to cope without Marcus Rashford for Saturday lunchtime’s Premier League clash with Fulham at Villa Park.
The Manchester United loanee missed Villa’s 3-0 FA Cup semi-final defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend due to a hamstring injury, which is set to rule him out for the remainder of the season.
There are no other fresh injuries to report, though, and Emery is now able to call upon on-loan Chelsea defender Axel Disasi, who was cup-tied last time out but is in contention to return to the starting lineup against Fulham.
Disasi could battle with Matty Cash for a start at right-back as Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres compete for a place at centre-back alongside Ezri Konsa. Meanwhile, Ian Maatsen will be pushing to replace Lucas Digne at left-back.
Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans are the most likely duo to continue in centre-midfield, meaning Amadou Onana and Ross Barkley could be force to begin as substitutes’ once again.
Jacob Ramsey could be recalled to start on the left side of midfield, but Emery may be tempted to stick with John McGinn, as Marco Asensio operates in the number 10 role and Morgan Rogers continues on the right. Leon Bailey is another pushing for a recall.
In the absence of Rashford, Ollie Watkins will continue to lead the line and will be looking to add to the 15 Premier League goals he has already scored this season, nine of which have been netted at Villa Park.
Aston Villa possible starting lineup: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans; Rogers, Asensio, McGinn; Watkins
> Click here to see how Fulham could line up for this contest
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