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Buendia starts, McGinn role - Aston Villa starting XI vs Barcelona predicted

Unai Emery has a few selection dilemmas ahead of Aston Villa's Champions League clash with Barcelona

John McGinn of Aston Villa
John McGinn of Aston Villa

Aston Villa take on European giants Barcelona at the Camp Nou in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Unai Emery’s side are one of only five teams to have won each of their opening three league phase matches, against Club Brugge, Fenerbahce and Viking FK.

They travel to Catalonia on the back of a disappointing 1-1 draw against Fulham last time out, having been fortunate not to lose after a poor second-half performance.

Barcelona, meanwhile, beat Feyenoord and Galatasaray in the Champions League before losing to Paris Saint-Germain in their last European outing.

They responded to a 2-1 home defeat to rivals Real Madrid by thrashing Alaves 6-1 at the Camp Nou on Saturday night.

Villa boss Emery will speak to the media in Spain on Monday evening but is expected to have the same players available for the game against Barcelona, with the exception of Brian Madjo and Modou Keba Cisse, who are not included in the Champions League squad.

Zion Suzuki was still one of Villa’s top performers against Fulham on Saturday, despite gifting the visitors their equaliser, and he is expected to start against Barcelona.

Matty Cash, Victor Lindelof, Pau Torres and Ian Maatsen will likely make up the defence, with Boubacar Kamara and Joao Gomes forming the double pivot in midfield.

John McGinn could move back to the right side of attack, with Johan Manzambi in the number 10 role and Emi Buendia on the left to provide some additional experience in place of Alysson.

Nicolas Jackson will then lead the line, with Tammy Abraham taking a place on the bench.

Villa predicted XI vs Barcelona: Suzuki; Cash, Lindelof, Torres, Maatsen; Kamara, Gomes; McGinn, Manzambi, Buendia; Jackson.

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