Ollie Watkins is set to return to the Aston Villa starting XI when they face Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Monday.
The England international has sat out the previous three league outings, with Unai Emery preferring Jhon Duran instead, following a slight drop off in form from Watkins.
However, Duran's red card for perceived violent conduct against Newcastle United on Boxing Day has opened the door for last season's top scorer to return.
Villa were unsuccessful in their appeal of the red card, so Duran will now miss this upcoming clash with Brighton, their first fixture of 2025 against Leicester City, and the FA Cup clash against West Ham United.
That will be a blow to the hosts, considering Duran had scored in all six of his starts this season before his early dismissal at St James' Park.
Duran will also not be the only player suspended, because Matty Cash's booking against the Magpies will see him miss this clash too, just one game before five yellow cards are no longer greeted with a ban.
Emery at least has a fully fit defence to choose a replacement from, and Kosta Nedeljkovic is the most natural deputy at right-back, but the manager may also shift Ezri Konsa over, bringing either Diego Carlos and Tyrone Mings in to partner Pau Torres.
Jacob Ramsey has been the only Villa player missing with injury recently, and Emery is confident that he has a good chance of being involved in the matchday squad for this one.
Aston Villa possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Konsa, Diego Carlos, Pau Torres, Digne; McGinn, Kamara, Onana, Tielemans, Rogers; Watkins
Click here to see how Brighton could line up for this one.
Andrew Delaney
