Having engineered a thumping 0-3 away win at the Stadium of Light against Sunderland, Aston Villa are due to take on Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Villa Park on Saturday. While the Wolves would be aiming to strengthen their grip at the top of the Championship table, the Villans would try to curtail the gap between them and second-placed Cardiff City.
Aston Villa: Team News
Alan Hutton is nursing his hamstring injury and is out of contention to play against the Wolves. Although Glenn Whelan has doubts hovering over his fitness, Jack Grealish is fit again but he might not be rendered with the opportunity to start the proceedings instantly after his return. Jonathan Kodjia remains sidelined for the rest of the season.
Here is how we expect Steve Bruce to roll out his starting XI against Nuno Espirito Santo’s entourage.
Goalkeeper
Sam Johnstone has been an instrumental figure for the Lions this season and reports have emerged stating that Aston Villa are keen to sign him permanently from Manchester United in the summer. Having accumulated 15 clean sheets from 35 league outings, we expect him to be stationed between the sticks once again.
Defence
John Terry’s leadership quality and ability to set himself as an example for his teammates have really come handy for Bruce’s side. The former Chelsea centre-back has churned an excellent camaraderie with James Chester and we expect to see both of them being chalked in the central defence.
Hutton’s absence implies that Neil Taylor might be getting the green light to from Bruce to start once again from the left-back slot. Meanwhile, Ahmed Elmohamady would be one of the first names to find a place in Aston Villa’s starting line-up as he is likely to keep his place on the right-back.
Midfield
Robert Snodgrass has plundered 7 goals and 11 assists in 30 outings in the Championship this season and he would be really keen to make his presence felt against Espirito Santo’s side from the right side of the midfield. Meanwhile, Albert Adomah would be a sensible option for the left side of the midfield.
Mile Jedinak might get the call to pull up his laces and start from the middle of the park as Whelan is unlikely to be thrown into the starting XI. Alongside Jedinak, we expect Conor Hourihane to start from the central midfield.
Attack
Scott Hogan is expected to play the role of the striker in the upcoming fixture yet again. He has been enduring a stuttering form of late and he really needs to up the ante from here onwards. Further, Lewis Grabban is anticipated to ply his trade as a secondary striker to showcase his attacking and creative prowess.
Statistics Credits: WhoScored & Squawka
