Key events
I think it’s fair to say that Arteta is giving some lads a runout. Kiwior, Sterling and Tierney all get a chance tonight.
Read Jonathan Wilson on Sterling and the fear of being played out too young.
Alternatively, we have Scott Murray on the Madrid derby.
Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; White, Gabriel, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Jorginho, Zinchenko; Sterling, Merino, Tierney
Subs: Neto, Setford, Saliba, Partey, Odegaard, Martinelli, Timber, Trossard, Calafiori, Butler-Oyedeji, Kabia, Nwaneri
PSV (4-3-3): Beintez; Ledezma, Nagalo, Obispo, Malacia; Til, Schouten, Babadi; Bakayoko Perisic, Driouech
Subs: Drommel, Schiks, Karsdrop, Flamingo, Dest, L De Jong, Lang, Boscagli, Bajratarevic, Veerman, Land
Teams: Aston Villa v Club Brugge
Aston Villa (4-3-3): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen; McGinn, Tielemans, Kamara, Rogers, Watkins, Rashford
Subs: Olsen, Zyvh, Disasi, Digne, Pau Torres, Asensio, Onana, Bogarde, Bailey, Ramsey
Club Brugge (4-3-3): Mignolet; Sabbe, Ordonez, Mechele, De Cuyper; Onyedika, Jashari, Vanaken; Talbi, Jutgla, Tzolis
Subs: Jackers, Romero, Vetlesen, Vermant, Nilsson, Skoras, Nielsen, Siquet, Spileers, Campbell
I was at Liverpool last night where we all had a little chat with Virgil van Dijk.
In the early kick-off today, Lille lead Dortmund 1-0 on the night and 2-1 on aggregate thanks to a Jonathan David goal.
Pre-match reading courtesy of Ed Aarons and William Saliba.
Preamble
It all seems a bit too straightforward for Arsenal and Aston Villa tonight for my liking. The Gunners would, I assume, disband if they fall to PSV after securing a relatively healthy 7-1 lead in the first leg. It screams dead rubber to me but maybe the Dutch side will fight back and secure the greatest turnaround in world football history*.
Aston Villa fluked their way to a 3-1 in Brugge last week and should really finish the job tonight. They should be a little wary of their opponent because Nicky Hayen’s side won 3-1 in Atalanta last month, so have pedigree of toppling teams higher up the food chain. An early goal for the Villans should, however, kill off the tie, then we can discuss the meaning of life for the rest of the evening.
Elsewhere in the mortal realm, Leeds host Millwall in what should be a spicy affair. Daniel Farke’s men were dumped out of the FA Cup by Alex Neil’s side this season, so are no mugs, although the lineups were much-changed. A win for Leeds will send them two points clear at the top with nine to play, an enticing prospect at Elland Road.
*they will not
