Aston Villa kick off their Premier League campaign with an away trip to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, as they begin a fascinating season following a summer of transition.
With so much still up in the air in terms of incomings and outgoings, Villa have not been able to prepare in the ideal way. Ready or not though, the season has arrived.
Here are five things to watch as Villa take on Brighton:
Zion Suzuki or Marco Bizot?
Unai Emery refused to give any team news at his press conference on Friday, leaving Villa fans in the dark over the status of several positions as Villa begin the season in the midst of a rebuild.
One of the positions in flux is goalkeeper, where Zion Suzuki has arrived from Parma to replace Emiliano MartÃnez, who rather awkwardly is still at the club.
Suzuki reportedly began training on Tuesday, so in theory he should have a chance to make his debut against Brighton. Whether Emery trusts him enough to throw him straight in the deep end is the key factor though.
If not Suzuki, Marco Bizot is expected to deputise after something of an unconvincing preseason.
He stepped up for Villa many times last term when MartÃnez pulled out in the warm up for one reason or another, and Emery will feel comfortable if he has to turn to Bizot against Brighton. The fans would surely rather get their first look at Suzuki though.
Who is playing up front?
The other big selection headache for Emery is at the striker position, and there is a chance Villa simply do not have one for Sunday’s game.
Ollie Watkins’ future seems to lie elsewhere as interest from Al Hilal intensifies, while both Tammy Abraham and Brian Madjo picked up injuries in the last two games of the preseason.
There is a chance Watkins could do them a favour and play one last game, but it would certainly be a strange situation, and he may not want to take the risk ahead of a potential transfer.
Madjo is expected to be out until at least September and no one knows Abraham’s status due to Emery keeping his cards close to his chest.
If none of the three can play, it is anyone’s guess who leads the line for Villa. 18-year-old Bradley Burrowes – who is naturally a winger but was forced to play as a striker during preseason at times due to a lack of options – could be in the mix. John McGinn false nine, anyone?
Is Victor Lindelöf ready for a more prominent role?
With Ezri Konsa now an Arsenal player and Villa still looking for a replacement, Lindelöf looks set to start alongside Pau Torres at centre-back in the season opener.
Lindelöf proved extremely useful for Villa last season, filling in admirably in both defence and midfield, and will now get a legitimate shot at being their first choice right-sided centre back.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis has been the subject of a bid from Villa, but even if he arrives, it will likely take him a while to get up to speed and he may have to wait his turn behind Lindelöf, who has earned the chance to hold down the position. Sunday will be his first chance to prove it to Emery.
George Hemmings
19-year-old Hemmings was one of the biggest winners from Villa’s preseason exploits, and with Alejandro Garnacho’s acclimation period disrupted by a facial injury, he may get the nod on the left wing against Brighton.
That represents a huge opportunity for the young midfielder, who looks to be relishing a more attacking role and evokes memories of Jacob Ramsey.
He fared well against PSG in the Super Cup final, and his performance on a big stage bodes well for his prospects this season. If he does start, Hemmings must grab his chance with both hands and show he deserves to be part of the first-team picture this season.
Ian Maatsen
Villa had a ready-made replacement for Lucas Digne in Maatsen, who has two years in Emery’s system and should get first crack at the left-back position, with Matteo Ruggeri brought in to compete.
Maatsen produced one of his finest performances in a Villa shirt in the Super Cup final and will be looking to take that positive momentum into the season.
He struggled to earn Emery’s full trust and overtake Digne before the Frenchman departed in the summer. Now 24 years old, is this the year Maatsen finally breaks out and becomes worthy of his £37.5m price tag?
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