Unai Emery has decided to shake up the Aston Villa lineup for the match against Brentford. Although some of the changes represent a departure from the usual starting XI, these types of decisions were needed.
Villa, to this point, are the only club that has not yet scored in the Premier League. In fact, across all of the major European leagues, they are the only side to not have put one in the back of the net as of yet. With this in mind, Emery appears to be going for a more attack-minded lineup that is providing a fresh look from Villa.
Now the side is looking to get back on track during the third-round fixture of this year's Carabao Cup tournament against the Bees.
Starting with the keeper situation first, Marco Bizot is in net, and Emiliano MartÃnez is not even on the bench. Instead, Sam Proctor will be the reserve keeper.
The backline consists of Matty Cash, Pau Torres, Ezri Konsa, and Ian Maatsen. Skipper John McGinn and Lamare Bogarde will look to patrol the midfield.
Fresh look from Aston Villa
In the more advanced positions, Harvey Elliott, Jadon Sancho, and Evann Guessand are hoping to provide the needed boost in the Villa attack. Donyell Malen will be up top with Ollie Watkins starting on the bench.
Elliott had already seen some playing time against Everton. This will be Sancho's first involvement for the club since arriving. Especially considering Guessand is in the starting XI, this is an ambitious selection that should at the very least provide more goal-scoring opportunities. Malen has often been on the short end of playing time. Seeing him along with this cast getting the nod from the opening whistle is something that Villa fans will perhaps wish to see more of moving forward.