Aston Villa have managed ten wins in a row, and they will go for the eleventh against Leeds United at Elland Road. Both the team are going through contrasting fortunes in the final phase of the season as Leeds United have squandered their chance of moving to the Premier League through automatic promotion spots.
On the other hand, Villa who were outsiders to get into the playoff spots are now more or less guaranteed a fifth-place finish. Therefore they are likely to face West Bromwich Albion in the playoff semifinals and given the form they are in; one wouldn’t put past them to go all the way to the finals and the Premier League.
Dean Smith might want to rest his key players for this game as he recently said (Birmingham Mail), ‘In a way, you are caught up with trying to keep the continuity going. But also, you look at Jack Grealish, who has been magnificent. Then you see how he takes some clog, the more it’s going on you just think ‘well, hang on, I just want to take him out of the firing line’.”
John McGinn meanwhile is two bookings away from a three-match ban so the manager might be cautious over there as well.
Team news
Star striker Tammy Abraham wouldn’t be available because of a shoulder injury. Kortney Hause, Axel Tuanzebe, Lovre Kalinic and James Chester are expected to miss out.
Aston Villa Predicted Lineup Vs Leeds United
Formation (4-1-4-1)
Defence
Norwich City’s youth product Jed Steer is expected to keep his place in goal. Mile Jedinak should start in defence alongside January signing Tyrone Mings. The right-back position is likely to be occupied by Ahmed Elmohamady. Welsh international Neil Taylor should play from the left side of the defence.
Midfield
Glen Whelan is expected to occupy the deepest role in midfield. His job would be to protect the back four and set up a base for the attack. Conor Hourihane is likely to get a start over McGinn in midfield. We are expecting Jack Grealish to keep his place even though Smith talked about protecting him and saving him for the playoffs.
Out wide on the right, Albert Adomah should start. Ahmed El Ghazi is expected to operate from the left flank.
Attack
Tammy Abraham is expected to be back by the Norwich game, and Smith is likely to go with Jonathan Kodjia up front in his absence. The striker should be high on confidence as he scored the winner against Millwall recently.
