Aston Villa’s potential 2022/23 starting XI as club confirm Boubacar Kamara signing

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Steven Gerrard has already set about assembling his Aston Villa side for next season following the arrival of French midfielder Boubacar Kamara.

The 22-year-old midfielder, who has just won his first call-up to the France national team after an impressive season at Olympique Marseille, will join Villa following the expiry of his contract with the Ligue 1 giants.

With the Villains wealthy billionaire owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens giving the former Rangers boss the funds to build a top-class side at Villa Park, TBR takes a look at Aston Villa’s potential 2022/23 starting XI.

Aston Villa’s potential 2022/23 starting XI

Emiliano Martinez

Kicking off Aston Villa’s potential 2022/23 starting XI – the Villains splashed out £17m to sign the Argentine stopper from Arsenal in September 2020 and the 29-year-old has established himself as one of the league’s best goalkeepers.

It would be a surprise if Argentina’s number one doesn’t start next season as Gerrard’s first-choice goalkeeper.

Matty Cash

It was only last month that the 24-year-old put pen-to-paper with a new deal for the Birmingham-based side.

The Poland international started every Premier League game this season, and the attack-minded right-back is likely to form a key part of Gerrard’s side for many years to come.

Ezri Konsa

The 24-year-old will probably miss the start of next season after suffering a knee injury against Crystal Palace.

The former Brentford man is expected to be out for three to four months and his absence could see Gerrard delve into the market for reinforcements.

But when Konsa is fit to return, he’ll fancy his chances of reclaiming his starting place alongside club captain Tyrone Mings at the heart of Villa’s defence.

Tyrone Mings

On his day Mings can be a commanding and calming presence who dominates the opposition’s forwards, but he is also capable of a lapse in concentration.

Gerrard will be targeting improvements next season and he’ll want greater consistency from his captain who will be hoping to form a part of England’s World Cup squad.

Lucas Digne

With a full pre-season under his belt with Gerrard, the former Everton man will likely kick on next season and make the left-hand side his own for Villa.

Possessing great delivery from set pieces and wide areas, Gerrard will want the French international up and down that left touchline.

Boubacar Kamara

With a wealth of top-class European sides chasing the highly-sought after midfielder, the signing of Kamara is yet another coup for Gerrard.

The tough-tackling midfielder will add quality and steel to Villa’s midfield and his arrival could see Douglas Luiz, who has been linked with a move to Jose Mourinho’s Roma, depart this summer.

Yves Bissouma

Journalist Pete O’Rourke has previously told Give Me Sport that Aston Villa are more likely to be able to sign Yves Bissouma than Kalvin Phillips this summer.

Following Leeds United’s last day survival act, the Whites are likely to command an astronomical asking price for their star man and England international this summer.

However, Bissouma’s contract with Brighton expires next summer and agreeing a deal with the Malian international could prove easier to come by.

The former Lille man has impressed since arriving in the Premier League, and he could strike up a fruitful partnership in the heart of Villa’s midfield with Kamara.

John McGinn

Antonio Conte may want to bring the Scotland international to north London this summer, but Gerrard will likely want his owners to rebuff Tottenham’s interest.

McGinn’s selfless running and pressing has made him a fan favourite at Villa Park – not to mention the quality he possesses with the ball at his feet.

A midfield trio of Kamara, Bissouma and McGinn could compete with any midfield in the league.

Philippe Coutinho

Aston Villa paid Barcelona £17m to sign the former Liverpool playmaker on a permanent deal following an impressive loan spell back in England.

Playing under his former Liverpool captain, the Brazilian has shown signs of his best form since returning to England.

Signing Barcelona’s former £142m man on a permanent deal is quite the statement of intent from the Villains and it could convince other world-class players to make the move to Villa Park.

Ollie Watkins

With 25 Premier League goals to his name from his first two seasons in the top-flight, Watkins will no doubt be targeting the 15-20 goal barrier next campaign.

With aspirations of European football being brought to Villa Park, the 26-year-old England international will likely spearhead Gerrard’s talented forward line.

Luis Suarez

Completing Aston Villa’s potential 2022/23 starting XI is Uruguay’s all-time top scorer and another of Gerrard’s top-class teammates Suarez.

The 35-year-old’s contract with Atletico Madrid expires at the end of next month and Suarez has already waved his goodbyes to Diego Simeone’s side.

Gerrard once described the ‘world-class’ Suarez as by far and away the best player he’d ever played with (Independent) and the former Barcelona striker has been linked with a reunion with Gerrard and Coutinho in Birmingham.