With Matty Cash suspended for Aston Villa’s upcoming clash against Brighton, Unai Emery is faced with a crucial selection decision in defense. This situation is not new for the Villa manager, as Cash’s injury absences in the past few seasons have often forced Emery to adjust his defensive lineup. Typically, Emery has opted to move Ezri Konsa to right-back, a solution that has proven effective at times.
However, with the squad now having more depth and alternative options, Emery has choices for how to handle the right-back position against Brighton. The most probable solution is for Diego Carlos to slot into the starting XI, with Konsa moving to right-back, as this has been a reliable pairing in the past. While this approach has worked well on occasion, it also has its weaknesses. Emery will need to assess whether Brighton can exploit those vulnerabilities and if he feels comfortable sticking with this combination.
Another possibility is giving Kosta Nedeljkovic a start. The 19-year-old was given 20 minutes in the recent defeat to Newcastle, which was a rare opportunity for the young defender. It’s possible that Emery’s decision to bring him on was to help him gain experience for a potential starting role against Brighton, with Cash unavailable. This option could allow Villa to maintain a solid balance in the backline, keeping Konsa at center-back alongside Pau Torres, while Nedeljkovic could bring energy and intensity to the right-back spot.
However, given that similar chances for Nedeljkovic have not materialized earlier in the season, it seems unlikely that Emery will choose him as a starter now. The same could be said for Lamare Bogarde, who has also been used at right-back this season to fill gaps when necessary.
Alternatively, Emery could consider including Tyrone Mings alongside Torres and Konsa, which would likely require a shift in formation and defensive structure. Emery has often spoken about wanting to play two left-footed center-backs together, but has admitted it still requires some refinement, especially after Mings’ injury layoff. Given Mings’ strong performance in Villa’s recent win over Brentford, where his presence added defensive stability, this could be the ideal moment to experiment with the left-footed pairing. However, whether this is too risky remains to be seen, especially after Mings’ recent illness prevented him from featuring in the loss to Nottingham Forest.
Nedeljkovic, an important signing last January, has a promising future, but to prove his worth at Villa, he needs to gain first-team experience and adapt to Emery’s tactical demands. If Villa continue to overlook this option and instead turn to Carlos, who was linked with a move away in the summer and could potentially leave next year, it could hinder Nedeljkovic’s development. This would be a missed opportunity for both the Serbian youngster and Villa, as it would disrupt the balance in defense and limit the ability to play players in their natural roles.
With these considerations in mind, it’s hoped that Emery has prepared Nedeljkovic for a key role against Brighton, especially after bringing him on against Newcastle. However, many expect Villa to stick with the usual Cash-less defense, and Villa fans will be hoping for a strong performance and a vital win to bounce back from the Boxing Day defeat.