Aston Villa will play hosts to Leeds United at the Villa Park looking to continue their push up the league table. Steve Bruce’s team has been in sensational form in the league which has mainly been down to the incredible form of his players. They will now look to earn maximum points when they face off against the West Yorkshire giants this week.
Meanwhile, the away side has struggled in the Skybet Championship this season which has mainly been down to the inconsistency of their players. Paul Heckingbottom is hoping for a strong finish to the season from his Leeds players but getting a result against the high-flying Villa team will be easier said than done.
The recent history of this fixture makes a grim reading for the home team as they have not tasted victory in any of their previous three meetings with the West Yorkshire outfit. Bruce is expected to stick with his favoured 4-1-4-1 formation and might opt to start with James Bree in his first-team for this gameweek.
4-1-4-1 Aston Villa Predicted Lineup To Face Leeds United
Defence
Sam Johnstone will start in goal for the home team and might be protected by a back four of James Chester and Mile Jedinak in central defence while Ahmed Elmohamady plays at right-back and James Bree operates on the left side of the Villa defence.
The Villans backline has kept three clean sheets in their last four league matches and Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce will hope that his defenders can keep the Peacocks attack at bay on Friday night.
Midfield
Glenn Whelan is expected to be deployed as a deep-lying defensive midfielder while the duo of Jack Grealish and Conor Hourihane plays in front of the Republic of Ireland midfielder at the centre of the park. Grealish got his name on the scoresheet in each of his last two outings and will look to repeat the feat versus Paul Heckingbottom’s side in this gameweek.
Villa’s top scorer Albert Adomah will operate on the left side of the midfield, looking to add to his goal tally of 15 goals in this campaign. Robert Snodgrass will try to cut in on his stronger left foot and create some opportunities for his teammates while operating down the right flank.
Attack
Scott Hogan is expected to lead the lines for Steve Bruce’s team up top. He has been amongst the goals recently and will now look to get his name on the scoresheet once again when he laces up to face the Peacocks on Friday night.
