Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery remains without the services of Marcus Rashford for Saturday’s Premier League showdown with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
The Manchester United-owned attacker is continuing his rehabilitation from a thigh injury, which could potentially end his season, but he is the only fitness concern in the visitors’ ranks.
With Rashford in the medical bay, Ollie Watkins is sure to hold his place at the tip of the Lions’ attack as he endeavours to build on a noteworthy playmaking record against Saturday’s hosts.
Watkins has only scored once from the start against Bournemouth in the Premier League, but he has also laid on four assists, his best record against a single club in the competition.
John McGinn and Morgan Rogers will no doubt aid Watkins in the final third, but Marco Asensio is at risk of losing his place to Jacob Ramsey, who could operate off the left for the Lions.
Midfield maestro Youri Tielemans – who scored the only goal in last weekend’s 1-0 triumph over Fulham – is untouchable in the engine room, where regular partner Boubacar Kamara ought to join him, despite the threat of Amadou Onana.
A change is likely to occur in defence, though, as Lucas Digne should be preferred to Ian Maatsen, but Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa and Pau Torres are all likely to reprise their roles ahead of Emiliano Martinez.
Aston Villa possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans; McGinn, Rogers, Ramsey; Watkins
> Click here to see how Bournemouth could line up for this contest
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