Aston Villa will face off against Burnley at Turf Moor on Wednesday evening as they try to secure maximum points on the road and gain some ground in the Premier League top-four race. The Villans managed to earn a comfortable 2-0 victory over Newcastle United last weekend, which will give them a confidence boost going into this midweek clash away at Lancashire.
Dean Smith will opt for a 4-3-3 formation and might be inclined to make tweaks to his starting XI for this game. Anwar El Ghazi and John McGinn could come into the first-team to replace Ross Barkley and Marvelous Nakamba.
4-3-3 Aston Villa Predicted Lineup To Face Burnley
Defence
Emiliano Martinez will operate in goal for the Midlands outfit after managing to bag a clean sheet versus the Magpies in his last league start. Tyronne Mings will play along with Ezri Konsa at the centre of the Villans backline as they try to keep Burnley’s Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes quiet during the 90 minutes.
Matt Targett will be a nailed-on starter at left-back while Matty Cash looks to impress on the other flank as the right-back. Smith will give both of them the license to express themselves deep inside the Clarets half.
Neil Taylor and Björn Engels will make up the numbers on the bench as they provide cover for the defensive positions.
Midfield
Douglas Luiz and John McGinn, who will be back from suspension, will play in the holding midfield positions as they look to enjoy possession with the ball at the centre of the park and create some meaningful openings in the final third.
The attacking trio of Anwar El Ghazi, Jack Grealish and Bertrand Traoré will function just ahead of them as part of Aston Villa’s attack. Grealish will have to orchestrate some inviting chances for others around him while El Ghazi and Traore look to get in behind the Clarets defence out on the flanks.
Marvelous Nakamba and Ross Barkley will have to be content with a place on the bench but could come on as the impact substitutes in the second 45 minutes if required.
Attack
Ollie Watkins will lead the charge for the Villans up top. The English marksman managed to find the back of the net versus the Magpies last weekend, so he will fancy his chances of producing another productive performance in midweek.
