Despite a pair of recent setbacks, a spot on the continent is not out of the question for Emery’s charges, who enter the weekend sitting eighth in the Premier League table and with the chance to draw level on points with Tottenham, while Brighton & Hove Albion are sandwiched in between the pair with two games in hand.
Away days have not been Villa’s speciality recently, but a return to home comforts will be welcomed with open arms by the Villa faithful, who have remarkably seen their side secure five straight wins at Villa Park without conceding a single goal, while scoring 10 themselves.
Furthermore, the Lions’ scoring streak at Villa Park stands at 13 games in all tournaments since October’s 2-0 defeat to Chelsea, and it has been nearly 16 years since a side last managed by Emery went scoreless in three matches – Almeria suffered such a fate under the Spaniard in the 2007-08 season.
Changes should be in the offing, though, especially as Bertrand Traore only lasted until half time at Molineux, so a recall for Boubacar Kamara should be in order as John McGinn shifts to a wide role. Ashley Young is 89 minutes away from bringing up 2,000 in the Premier League this season, which would see him become the oldest player to do so since Teddy Sheringham in 2003-04, but Diego Carlos and the fit-again Cash are knocking on the door for a starting role.
As for the visitors, the trio of Hugo Lloris (hip), Ryan Sessegnon (thigh) and Rodrigo Bentancur (knee) are confined to the treatment room with their season-ending injuries, but there is more optimism over the condition of Clement Lenglet, who came off late on against Palace with a shoulder problem.
The on-loan Barcelona defender is believed to have avoided a serious problem and should be passed fit for Saturday’s game, thereby forcing the recently-demoted Eric Dier to watch on from the bench again. Emerson Royal and Yves Bissouma both made rapid recoveries from surgery last weekend, and while the latter was only an unused substitute, Emerson should continue in his fluid role on the right flank.
