What a game we have on our hands when Aston Villa travel to Amex Stadium to play in-form Brighton and Hove Albion! Both teams are in a stunning form of late and Brighton are one of the teams to beat in the Championship right now. The Seagulls are flying high in the English second tier at the moment and will be keen to resume their momentum after the international break adding pressure on leaders Newcastle United.
Chris Hughton’s side are currently second in the league table with 34 points from their 16 matches and are sitting just three points behind Rafael Benitez’s Newcastle United.
Aston Villa will be all pumped up for the game after finally managing to get their season back on track following the appointment of Steve Bruce as the manager. They still remain at the bottom half, sitting 14th with 21 points from 16 matches but had three wins and two draws in their five games under Bruce. They look much improved as a unit now and if they can keep up their rise, they have a decent chance of getting a playoff spot at the end of the season.
This is the first league meeting between the two sides in 33 years and it is very tough to call a winner of this one. Here is the predicted Aston villa lineup for the game.
Defence
Young and highly-rated keeper Pierluigi Gollini is likely to start under the bar. Bruce, since his appointment, has given chance to each player to find out the best chemistry of the team. Nathan Baker and James Chester’s partnership at the back has turned out to be the best one so far and they should keep their places at the back. So, we can expect skipper Tommy Elphick to start from the bench against his former club. Alan Hutton and Jordan Amavi are likely to start in the two full-back positions.
Midfield
Mile Jedinak is clearly an influential member of the side with what he brings to midfield. The Aussie’s defensive discipline is top-notch and he is a decent passer of the ball. Bruce is likely to keep his faith in the former Crystal Palace skipper. Young Gary Gardner is likely to partner the Aussie in midfield. Wonderkid Jack Grealish is likely to be deployed in the number ten role.
Attack
Jonathan Kodija will be desperate to continue his impressive recent form which has brought five goals in as many games. Kodija is likely to start on the left flank with Jordan Ayew starting up front in place of the suspended Ross McCormack. Albert Adomah is likely to start on the right.
