Aston Villa will play hosts to Burnley at Villa Park on Thursday evening hoping to secure all three points at their home ground. The Villans managed to pick up an important win versus Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend which will keep their confidence high going into this midweek contest in the Premier League.
Dean Smith will probably set his side up in a 4-3-3 formation and will be forced to make some changes to his first-team for this home encounter against Sean Dyche’s men. Both Matty Cash and Douglas Luiz won’t be available as they are suspended for this game.
4-3-3 Aston Villa Predicted Lineup To Face Burnley
Defence
Emiliano Martínez will operate in between the sticks for the West Midlands outfit after he kept a clean sheet versus Wolves last weekend. Ezri Konsa will once again partner up with Tyrone Mings as they look to keep Burnley’s Jay Rodriguez and Chris Wood quiet during the 90 minutes.
Matt Targett should resume his defensive duties at left-back while Ahmed Elmohamady fills in on the other flank as the right-back in the absence of Matty Cash. Both of them will need to work their socks off towards making a positive impact in both halves.
Neil Taylor will be available for selection on Smith’s bench. Tom Heaton is closing in on a return from injury, but this match might come too soon for him.
Midfield
Ross Barkley is a significant doubt for this game, so Conor Hourihane will get a start alongside Marvelous Nakamba and John McGinn at the centre of the park. The Villans midfield three will be responsible for establishing their dominance in midfield and get a stranglehold in the game.
Jacob Ramsey might have to be content with a spot on the bench but could come on to influence the game in the second 45 minutes if needed.
Attack
Aston Villa’s frontline will be composed of Jack Grealish, Ollie Watkins and Trezeguet up top. Grealish didn’t find the back of the net against Wolves, so he will be desperate to return to his goal-scoring ways when he laces up to face the Clarets defenders in midweek.
Keinan Davis is a concern ahead of this clash and will be in a race against time to be fit for a place on Smith’s bench.
