Aston Villa will entertain Leeds United at Villa Park on Friday night hoping to maintain their 100% winning start to this Premier League campaign. The Villans are flying high at the moment with four successive league victories on the spin ahead of this game versus Marcelo Bielsa’s men.
Dean Smith will once again opt for a 4-3-3 formation and is expected to name an unchanged side for this upcoming home encounter against the Whites. Ross Barkley should keep his place in the first-team following his match-winning heroics in the narrow 1-0 win over Leicester City last weekend.
4-3-3 Aston Villa Predicted Lineup To Face Leeds United
Defence
Emiliano Martínez will play in goal for the West Midlands club after keeping a clean sheet versus the Foxes last Sunday. Ezri Konsa will once again partner up with Tyrone Mings at the heart of Smith’s defence as they look to restrict Leeds United’s Patrick Bamford from scoring during the 90 minutes.
Matty Cash will be a guaranteed starter in the right-back position while Matt Targett focusses on producing another industrious display as the left-back. Smith will instruct both of them to maintain a solid defensive shape at the back as well as make some energetic runs in the attacking half.
Midfield
Ross Barkley, Douglas Luiz and John McGinn will make up the Aston Villa midfield as they look to dominate the game and create some decent goal-scoring chances in the final third. All three midfielders are playing with a lot of confidence this season, but they can expect a tough night while up against a hard-working Leeds side that won’t give them a rest during the 90 minutes.
Conor Hourihane will have to be content with a spot on the bench as he awaits his opportunity to feature in the second half if needed.
Attack
Jack Grealish will be responsible for orchestrating a few clear-cut chances to score from the left-wing while Trezeguet looks to put on a good show on the right flank. Ollie Watkins will once again spearhead Smith’s attack down the middle. He managed to net a hattrick in his last home appearance which will give him a confidence boost going into this week’s clash versus the Yorkshire giants.
Keinan Davis will make up the numbers on the bench but could come on to make an impact in the second 45 minutes if the Villans are in need of a late goal on Friday night.
