Aston Villa team news: Unai Emery makes four changes for Bologna Champions League clash

Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery has made four changes for Tuesday's Champions League fixture against Bologna.

During Monday's press conference, the Spaniard hinted that he would need to be open-minded to regularly shuffling his pack in order to avoid burning out his first-choice picks.

Emery has backed that up by making four changes to his starting lineup from the match with Fulham three days ago, most notably handing a first Champions League start to Jhon Duran.

Ezri Konsa is restored to the right hand side of the defence, while Ian Maatsen is handed an opportunity on the left for the first time in the Premier League or Europe during 2024-25.

Having made his return from injury at the weekend, John McGinn starts in midfield, seemingly on the right flank with Leon Bailey on the left.

Matty Cash, Lucas Digne, Jacob Ramsey and Ollie Watkins are the quartet to drop out of the team, all being named among the replacements.

There is also a return to the squad for Tyrone Mings for the first time since suffering a serious knee injury 14 months ago.

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Bologna make widespread alterations

Meanwhile, Bologna head coach Vincenzo Italiano has made even more alterations to his starting lineup after the 2-2 draw at Genoa.

Goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski returns between the sticks, while Jhon Lucumi - to go head to head with Colombian compatriot Duran - and Charalampos Lykogiannis are included in defence.

Giovanni Fabbian is selected in central midfield, with Kacper Urbanski also getting the nod in the engine room.

Switzerland international Dan Ndoye and Dutchman Thijs Dallinga are notable additions to the attack as Bologna look to score their first-ever goal and record their maiden win in this competition.

Aston Villa XI: Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Maatsen; McGinn, Tielemans, Onana, Bailey; Rogers; Duran

Subs: Olsen, Cash, Mings, Digne, Nedeljkovic, Bogarde, Kamara, Ramsey, Barkley, Buendia, Philogene, Watkins

Bologna XI: Skorupski; Posch, Beukema, Lucumi, Lykogiannis; Fabbian, Freuler, Urbanski; Orsolini, Dallinga, Ndoye

Subs: Bagnolini, Casale, Castro, Corazza, Holm, Iling Junior, Mirando, Moro, Odgaard, Pobega, Ravaglia