Victor Lindelof started for Aston Villa in the Europa League final against Freiburg on Wednesday as Unai Emery opted against risking Amadou Onana for the clash in Istanbul.
Onana has been recovering from a calf injury suffered in the first half of Villa's semi-final first leg defeat at Nottingham Forest.
The Belgian international had been a key figure for Emery's side earlier this season, but the Villa boss decided to play it safe by deploying Sweden defender Lindelof as a makeshift midfielder.
Chasing a first major trophy for 30 years, Villa were able to field a full-strength side apart from Onana, who took his place on the bench.
Ollie Watkins started up front, with Morgan Rogers, John McGinn and Emiliano Buendia forming the trio behind him.
Freiburg boss Julian Schuster picked the same starting line-up that won the semi-final second leg against Braga.
That meant there was a place in midfield for Nicolas Hofler, who has already announced his retirement after this season.
Freiburg are competing in their first European final as they target the first major trophy in the club's history.
Starting line-ups:
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1)
Emiliano Martinez; Matty Cash, Pau Torres, Ezri Konsa, Lucas Digne; Victor Lindelof, Youri Tielemans; John McGinn (capt), Morgan Rogers, Emiliano Buendia; Ollie Watkins
Coach: Unai Emery (ESP)
Freiburg (4-2-3-1)
Noah Atubolu; Lukas Kubler, Matthias Ginter, Philipp Lienhart, Philipp Treu; Maximilian Eggestein, Nicolas Hofler; Niklas Beste, Johan Manzambi, Vincenzo Grifo (capt); Igor Matanovic
Coach: Julian Schuster (GER)
Referee: Francois Letexier (FRA)
smg/jc
