Aston Villa predicted XI vs Manchester United: Wan-Bissaka to return and Barkley handed a start?

Aston Villa head to Manchester United, their bogey team, winless in three. I'm expecting a couple of changes from Barcelona.

The lack of width was a particular frustration for me on Tuesday night, and I think Villa need to get back to having players who are prepared to stretch the opposition and give us a different way of progressing up the pitch. There were too many occasions against Barcelona when we struggled to get out, and although the opposition played a significant part in that, I would like to see Villa approach Sunday's game with a little more attacking ambition.

The biggest selection issue is at right-back, where Cash will serve a one-match suspension after picking up his fifth Premier League booking of the season against Fulham. Aaron Wan-Bissaka's fitness remains a question, but I'm going to predict that he will be available to face his former club.

I've written separately about the possibility of João Gomes playing at right-back, and I still think that could be an interesting tactical option if Wan-Bissaka isn't ready. Lamare Bogarde and Victor Lindelöf are other possibilities, although Bogarde was off it the last time we saw him, while moving Lindelöf would take arguably Villa's most consistent performer this season away from his natural position.

For that reason, I would much rather keep Lindelöf alongside Pau Torres, particularly given how important it has been to establish some consistency in central defence following the summer departures. Ian Maatsen would complete the back four, with Zion Suzuki continuing in goal.

In midfield, I'm going with Boubacar Kamara and Ross Barkley, which would mean Gomes dropping to the bench. Jacob Tanswell suggested during a recent appearance on my podcast that Barkley could be in line to start at Old Trafford, and I think there is a reasonable chance that happens.

Barkley gives Villa somebody who is comfortable receiving the ball under pressure and can help us control possession, while Kamara's defensive awareness and ability to protect the back four will be particularly important away from home. Gomes has been one of our better performers in recent weeks, so leaving him out wouldn't be an easy decision, but I can see Emery wanting the experience of Barkley for this particular fixture.

Further forward, I think Emery brings Alysson back into the starting side on the right. I've been impressed with the directness he has shown when given opportunities, and I think Villa need that against Manchester United. We have seen how difficult it can become when we don't have enough natural width, and Alysson gives us somebody who will look to take his man on rather than constantly coming inside.

John McGinn would start centrally behind Nicolas Jackson, with Johan Manzambi operating from the left. Manzambi has the technical quality to come inside and influence the game, while McGinn's experience and understanding of Emery's demands should help Villa find a better balance between their attacking and defensive responsibilities.

There is still some uncertainty over Wan-Bissaka, and his availability could have a significant bearing on how Emery sets his team up. If he isn't ready, I wouldn't be surprised to see Gomes come into the side at right-back, potentially giving Villa an additional player in midfield when in possession against a Manchester United team who have struggled in that area this season.

For now, though, I'm backing Wan-Bissaka to return, Barkley to start and Alysson to provide the width that I thought Villa were missing in Barcelona.

Suzuki

Wan-Bissaka

Lindelof

Pau

Maatsen

Kamara

Barkley

Alysson

McGinn

Manzambi

Jackson

Substitutes: Bizot, Gomes, Mings, Harwood-Bellis, Goretzka, Garnacho, Mbaye, Buendía, Madjo.