Honestly, trying to pin down Unai Emery’s starting eleven feels a bit like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands. Just when you think you’ve got the pattern figured out—boom—he drops a tactical curveball that leaves fantasy managers weeping and opposition scouts tearing up their notes.
The buzz around the Aston Villa lineup today isn't just about who starts; it’s about how this squad is evolving into a genuine title-contending machine. As we sit here in mid-January 2026, Villa are perched at third in the Premier League, breathing down the necks of Arsenal and Manchester City. That doesn't happen by accident. It happens because Emery has turned "rotation" into a high-stakes chess game.
The Big Questions in the Villa XI
Look, the first thing everyone asks is about the goalkeeper. Emi Martinez is usually the first name on the sheet, but there's been some chatter about a knock. He's listed as a "Game Time Decision" (GTD) for the upcoming clash against Everton. If he doesn't make it, Marco Bizot is the man in the hot seat. Bizot has been solid when called upon, but let’s be real, you can’t replace the sheer "chaos energy" and shot-stopping gravity that Martinez brings to the pitch.
Then you've got the midfield situation. This is where it gets kinda messy.
- Amadou Onana is definitely out. Huge miss. He’s the physical anchor.
- Boubacar Kamara is touch-and-go with an ankle issue from that Spurs game.
- Ross Barkley is still chilling in the medical room with that knee problem.
Basically, if Kamara can’t go, you're looking at a double pivot of Youri Tielemans and John McGinn. It’s a bit more "technical" and maybe a little less "sturdy" than Emery usually likes, but it’s what we've got. Tielemans has been playing like a man possessed lately, often sliding up into that '10' role to link with the forwards.
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Why the Defense is Suddenly Different
Remember when the backline was basically set in stone? Not anymore. Victor Lindelöf has integrated into this system surprisingly well since his move. He’s been pairing up with Ezri Konsa, which means Pau Torres and Tyrone Mings—the old guard—have actually had to fight for their minutes. It’s wild to see Mings on the bench, but Emery is all about "current form" over "past glory."
Matty Cash and Lucas Digne are the expected full-backs, though Ian Maatsen is always a threat to Digne’s spot if Emery wants more speed on the overlap. Digne’s delivery is still top-tier, though. He’s a big reason why Villa have been scoring so many goals from outside the box lately; his crosses create the second-ball chaos that players like Morgan Rogers feast on.
The Rogers Factor
Speaking of Morgan Rogers, the kid is basically untouchable right now. After that masterclass in the FA Cup against Tottenham, where he and Emi Buendía basically ran the show, there’s zero chance he’s left out of the Aston Villa lineup today. He’s the "talisman" now.
He plays this hybrid role—half winger, half second striker—that makes him a nightmare to mark. If you're a defender, do you follow him into the middle? If you do, Ollie Watkins just runs into the space you left behind. It’s a simple trap, but people keep falling for it.
The Tactical Reawakening
A lot of folks get wrong that Villa are just a "counter-attacking" side. That was true in August. Now? They’ve become much more adaptable. They lead the league in goals from outside the penalty area (9 so far!). That’s a specific tactical shift. When teams sit deep with a low block, Emery has told his guys: "Just hit it."
It’s working.
Here is a quick look at how the squad is likely to shake out for the next kick-off:
Probable Starters:
Martinez (if fit), Cash, Konsa, Lindelöf, Digne, Kamara (or McGinn), Tielemans, Bailey, Rogers, Buendía, Watkins.
The Bench Depth:
Jadon Sancho and Donyell Malen are the ultimate "break glass in case of emergency" options. Having Sancho come off the bench against tired legs is almost unfair. And don't forget Evann Guessand, who just got back from AFCON duty with Ivory Coast. He’s a physical beast and offers a completely different profile to Watkins if they need to go long and direct.
Final Thoughts for the Matchday
If you're looking at the Aston Villa lineup today and expecting a predictable 4-4-2, you haven't been paying attention. Emery is shifting shapes mid-game—moving to a back three when in possession and dropping into a compact 4-5-1 when under the kosh.
The real key is the fitness of the "spine." If Martinez and Kamara are both out, Villa are vulnerable through the middle. If they play, I’d back them to keep that 12-game home winning streak alive.
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Next Steps for Villa Fans:
Check the official team sheet exactly 60 minutes before kick-off. With Emi Martinez and Kamara being "late calls," the early leaks are often wrong. If you see Sancho starting over Bailey, expect a much more "dribble-heavy" approach on the left flank. Watch the warmup—if Martinez isn't out there doing his usual high-intensity drills, Bizot is your man.