As Aston Villa prepare to face Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup fourth round, fans are buzzing with excitement. Villa Park will be packed on Sunday as Unai Emery’s side looks to bounce back from their domestic struggles with the help of fresh new signings.
A Busy January for Aston Villa
Aston Villa’s mixed form this season convinced the board that the January transfer window would be pivotal for the club’s success. With a busy deadline day, the Villans secured several top talents, including some potential debutants who could feature against Spurs. Among these signings, Marcus Rashford’s arrival has grabbed headlines, and there’s a lot of anticipation surrounding his potential debut.
How Aston Villa Could Line Up vs Tottenham in the FA Cup
Unai Emery is likely to field a strong lineup as he aims to make an impact in the FA Cup. Here’s the predicted lineup (4-2-3-1 formation) for Villa’s clash with Tottenham:
Goalkeeper:
Emiliano Martinez
After Robin Olsen started in the third-round win against West Ham, expect the return of Villa’s number one, Emiliano Martinez, for this high-stakes fixture.
Right-Back:
Andres Garcia
With Matty Cash injured and new arrival Disasi cup-tied, Andres Garcia may have to step in and fill the void at right-back.
Center-Backs:
Ezri Konsa
The England international has been a constant in Emery’s defense this season and is a sure starter.
Boubacar Kamara
Kamara, usually deployed in midfield, played in defense last weekend due to injuries, and with Disasi unavailable, he may continue his defensive role.
Left-Back:
Lucas Digne
Emery’s go-to left-back, Digne, is expected to start, as Ian Maatsen hasn’t yet earned the manager’s full trust.
Central Midfielders:
Youri Tielemans
Tielemans will look to take full advantage of Tottenham’s vulnerabilities in the middle of the park, especially after their heavy 4-0 loss to Liverpool.
Amadou Onana
After coming off the bench in Villa’s last match, Onana scored in the third round and should be fit to return to the starting XI.
Right Midfield:
Donyell Malen
With Ollie Watkins injured and Jhon Duran out of the picture, Malen could be called upon to play a more prominent attacking role.
Attacking Midfield:
Morgan Rogers
Rogers might be given the freedom to operate centrally, providing Villa with the ability to exploit Tottenham’s defense in transition.
Left Midfield:
Marcus Rashford
Rashford, who has not played in almost two months, is one of the most exciting signings. Despite his long break, expect him to make an impact, particularly as he has scored six goals in 17 appearances against Spurs.
Striker:
Marco Asensio
Although his signing flew under the radar, Asensio’s arrival could prove vital. He could become a key figure at Villa Park, with his versatility and goal-scoring ability.
Will Aston Villa’s New Signings Shine in the FA Cup?
With a host of new faces set to make their debuts, will Aston Villa be able to overcome a tough Tottenham side? Let us know your thoughts on the lineup and how you think the match will unfold in the comments below!