It is likely to be rough sledding for Andorra when they face England. As previously thought, however, two Aston Villa players will make the starting XI for Thomas Tuchel when the Three Lions face off in the World Cup qualifier in Barcelona.
Playing in a 3-4-2-1, with two outside wingbacks, Ezri Konsa will be part of the three central defenders in the lineup. Jordan Pickford will start in goal. The Aston Villa CB is joined by Reece James and Dan Burn. Noni Madueke and Curtis Jones appear ready to be lined up on the outside, with Jude Bellingham and Jordan Henderson aiming to control the center of the park.
Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers will play in more advanced roles, behind lone striker and captain Harry Kane.
By admission, this is a more experimental lineup from Tuchel. Nothing against the quality of Andorra, but this is a side that the England boss can afford to try something that he likely otherwise would not go with.
How the Aston Villa players potentially fit in this system
What this should allow, to the ultimate glee of Villa supporters, is for Rogers to play in a more central area. Having Bellingham and Henderson will allow him to play freely in his more natural role without the need to necessarily track back each time. In other words, he should have the freedom to try to create in the attacking third against what is expected to be a defensive-oriented opposition.
Konsa has proven to be a stabilizing force. Although Andorra is not expected to mount too much of an attack, each match there is the chance of catching a side off-guard and playing for a single goal to give an underdog a chance to at least play for a positive result.
During his opening matches in charge, Tuchel asked for the players, particularly those in advanced positions, to take risks. It appears that Villa's Rogers, in particular, will be placed in an excellent slot to do just that.