- Aston Villa travel to the Etihad to take on Manchester City for their final game of 2025/26 Premier League season
- With all objectives achieved already, Unai Emery is expected to heavily rotate his side
- Most of the players who featured in the Europa League final will likely not be included
Aston Villa finds themselves in a rare position, where there is zero pressure on today’s result against Manchester City in their final Premier League game of the season. With that in mind, Unai Emery is expected to ring the changes, so those who have not played too many minutes will get a chance to start.
Wednesday night was the best in Villa’s modern-day history. A first major trophy in 30 years and their first European trophy since 1982. It was a final that they dominated and controlled, to brush aside SC Freiburg 3-0.
Two fantastic goals by Youri Tielemans and Emi Buendía, scored just before half-time, gave the Villans a comfortable cushion, before Morgan Rogers sealed the deal early on in the second half. The victory now cements the legacy of the current group of players as legends in Aston Villa history.
Today is a completely different feeling. Although a win would secure a top-four finish, in reality, the result has no implications for their season.
They face a Manchester City side who can no longer win the Premier League title, but may want to end Pep Guardiola’s ten-year tenure at the club on a high.
Bogarde to start in the middle of defence
As most of the players who featured in the Europa League final are unlikely to be included in the squad, a complete change to the back four is expected.
Andrés García and Ian Maatsen will operate in the full-back positions, with Tyrone Mings and Lamare Bogarde the two centre-backs.
Academy youngster Yeimar Mosquera could start, given he has been training with the first-team. However, as Villa relies on building up from the back, you would think he would only replace Mings, as he is left-footed.
Barkley to drop into the double pivot
With Bogarde dropping into centre-back, Ross Barkley would have to be the one who replaces Victor Lindelöf. Despite the Englishman mainly featuring in the No 10 position of late, he was subbed on at half-time for the Swede against Liverpool, putting in an assured performance.
Partnering Barkley will be Douglas Luiz. He hasn’t started a game since 19th March, and has fallen down the pecking order in midfield. Whilst Villa do have an option to buy in his loan deal, they aren’t expected to trigger it, making this his final game in a claret and blue shirt.
Sancho and Elliott to make final appearances
Villa’s attack will see wholesale changes. Leon Bailey may start on the right, replacing John McGinn, in what could be his last appearance for Emery’s side.
Meanwhile, Rogers may finally be rested after starting 51 games in all competitions this season, with Harvey Elliott taking his place.
The Liverpool loanee has endured a terrible spell at Villa Park due to his deal including an obligation to purchase should he make ten appearances in the league. Emery has clearly shown he does not want him to remain at the club, and so has completely alienated him from matchday squads.
Finally, Jadon Sancho should replace Buendía on the left-hand side, and Tammy Abraham will lead the line.
Sancho will not stay beyond his loan spell, so he will be making his final appearance for Villa.
Aston Villa predicted XI: Bizot, García, Bogarde, Mings, Maatsen, Barkley, Luiz, Bailey, Elliott, Sancho, Abraham
