Aston Villa lineup vs. Crystal Palace: Predicted XI for Premier League clash as Kamara replacement decided

Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery will have Ezri Konsa back at his disposal for Sunday's Premier League showdown with Crystal Palace at Villa Park.

The centre-back sat out last weekend's 1-0 loss to Brentford due to suspension, having been given his marching orders for a last-man foul on Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon in gameweek one.

However, Konsa has now served that one-game ban and should come straight back into the rearguard, potentially at Pau Torres's expense, as Tyrone Mings stood tall to keep Newcastle at bay after his colleague was sent off.

The English duo should join forces with Emiliano Martinez, Lucas Digne and Matty Cash in a recognisable defensive barrier, but Emery will almost certainly have to manage without Boubacar Kamara, who hurt his thigh at the Gtech Community Stadium.

The Villa boss gave nothing away in his press conference, but it has been reported that Kamara faces at least a fortnight out, so Youri Tielemans should drop into a deeper role alongside Amadou Onana.

Tielemans operating in the double pivot opens up a space in the attack for Donyell Malen to fill, as the Dutchman joins Morgan Rogers and John McGinn as Ollie Watkins's supporting cast.

The latter has now failed to score in any of his last four top-flight appearances, but his only Premier League goal in August to date came against none other than Palace in 2022.

Aston Villa possible starting lineup:

Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Onana, Tielemans; Malen, Rogers, McGinn; Watkins

> Click here to see how Crystal Palace could line up for this game