As Aston Villa continue their impressive start to life in the Champions League, Unai Emery will face some tough decisions over the coming weeks. A 2-0 win over Bologna has propelled the Midlands side to the top of the table, alongside Liverpool, and has put them in a strong position to secure progression to the last 16. However, with games coming thick and fast, squad rotation will be crucial for the Spanish manager.
A likely change will be the dropping of Jhon Duran to the bench, despite his impressive form. The young striker has scored seven goals in 12 appearances, but his stats against Bologna told a story of a more complete performance. With Ollie Watkins likely to return to the starting XI, Duran may be held back until the second half if needed.
Another player who may also be considering a spot on the bench is Amadou Onana. The summer signing from Lille had a disappointing performance against Bologna, completing just 96% of his passes but struggling with touches, tackles, and interceptions. His match rating of 5/10 from GOAL suggests he may not be an automatic pick for the next game against Bournemouth.
The return of to the starting lineup of Emiliano Buendia, who has been sidelined with an injury, could also be a pressing concern. Martin Kamara, who made his first appearance since February after suffering an ACL injury, may also be in contention for a starting berth, although it may be too soon for him to be unleashed in the starting XI. As the days go by, Emery will need to balance his desire for results with the need to manage his squad and avoid burnout. One thing is certain, however: Aston Villa fans will be eagerly watching to see how the 23-year-old midfielder adapts to his changing role in the team.
