Better late than never, Aston Villa have found their feet in the Championship yet again as they have accumulated 4 wins in their last 5 league outings. Although the resurrection has come a little too late, it is indeed encouraging to see Aston Villa getting back into the scheme of things.
After an exceptional 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday, Steve Bruce & Co. have to undertake a trip to the DW Stadium. With injuries and suspensions becoming a part and parcel of the side, Bruce is expected to shuffle his tactical setup and here is how he might set up his starting line-up.
Defence
Things have started to fall into place, slowly but surely, after Sam Johnstone has been handed the gloves. The 23-year-old youngster has collected 4 clean sheets in 12 appearances for Aston Villa so far after making a loan move from Manchester United and made 18 saves as well. Johnstone is, thus, likely to start under the bar against Wigan Athletic.
To be selected in front of him should be a four-man defensive wall, comprising of James Bree in the right-back position. In the left-back slot, it is likely that Neil Taylor would be handed another start, whereas, at the heart of the Lions’ defence, we are anticipating the duo of James Chester and Tommy Elphick to get the nod for starting the game as Nathan Baker hobbled into Aston Villa’s injury list with a knee injury.
Midfield
Australian international, Mile Jedinak, was handed the central defensive role by Bruce when Baker limped off the pitch last weekend against Sheffield Wednesday but despite a decent show, we fancy him starting from the central midfield position yet again. To partner Jedinak, we expect Bruce to accommodate Gary Gardner and Conor Hourihane in the middle of the park.
Henri Lansbury is suffering from a heel injury and is doubtful for the game against the Tics. The otherwise right-back, Alan Hutton was played on the right side of the midfield against the Owls but we believe that Albert Adomah deserves a start once again on the right wing whereas, on the left-hand side of the midfield, we expect Jordan Amavi to start from the advanced role as he combined well with Taylor and delivered some dangerous crosses last weekend.
Attack
To start the proceedings for the Villans up front, Jonathan Kodjia should be stationed up front against Wigan Athletic. The 27-year-old forward has scored 15 goals in 29 appearances apart from creating 17 chances and to make sure of a strong finish, Aston Villa would need Kodjia to keep his goal-getting form intact.
Predicted Line-Up:
Johnstone
Bree-Chester-Elphick-Taylor
Adomah-Hourihane-Jedinak-Gardner-Amavi
Kodjia
Statistics Credits: Squawka.
