Exclusive: Emery to Bring in £35m Aston Villa Star v Bologna Amid Early Team News

Ian Maatsen Set for Start as Emery Rotates Villa Squad for Europa Clash Against Bologna

Ian Maatsen is expected to be handed a start as Unai Emery reshuffles his Aston Villa lineup ahead of their crucial Europa League opener against Bologna tonight.

The Dutch international is likely to replace Lucas Digne at left-back, with Emery looking to inject new energy into his squad after a disappointing recent performance.

Maatsen, who came on as a second-half substitute for Digne during Sunday’s match at the Stadium of Light, has been edging closer to a place in the starting XI. With Villa facing two matches in four days, Emery appears ready to give him his opportunity.

Following Sunday’s underwhelming display—where Emery criticised his players for being “lazy”—the Villa boss is set to make changes, with Maatsen in line to make only his third start of the season.

Signed from Chelsea in a £35 million deal 15 months ago, Maatsen has found consistent game time hard to come by. The £125,000-a-week defender has started just twice this season—during the 3-0 home loss to Crystal Palace and the Carabao Cup defeat at Brentford.

With Bologna providing the test tonight and Fulham looming on Sunday, Emery is expected to rotate heavily across both fixtures.

Elsewhere, Harvey Elliott—who started against Brentford and scored the goal that pushed the game to penalties—should benefit from another full 90 minutes. The Liverpool loanee is being eased into regular action.

Jadon Sancho is also likely to see more involvement. After starting against Brentford but being benched at the Stadium of Light, the winger is short on match fitness and is expected to play a more prominent role against Bologna this evening.