Aston Villa will face off against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Molineux Stadium on Saturday afternoon looking to pick a positive result on their travels. The Villans have suffered back to back league defeats versus Brighton and Hove Albion and West Ham United respectively, so they will be eager to produce a much-improved display in this weekend’s highly anticipated West Midlands derby.
Dean Smith will probably opt for a 4-3-3 formation and could keep changes to a minimum for this clash away at Wolves. Ross Barkley remains sidelined for this game which means that Conor Hourihane will retain his place in central midfield.
4-3-3 Aston Villa Predicted Lineup To Face Wolves
Defence
Emiliano Martínez will feature in goal for the Villans as he looks to keep things tidy at the back this weekend. Tyrone Mings will resume his defensive partnership with Ezri Konsa as they try to neutralise the threat of Wolves’ Fabio Silva throughout the 90 minutes.
Matt Targett will be a nailed-on starter at left-back while Matty Cash fills in on the other flank as the right-back. Both of them will have to work hard towards influencing the game at both ends of the field.
Neil Taylor and Ahmed Elmohamady will make up the numbers on the Villans bench.
Midfield
Ross Barkley is still out of action due to injury, so Conor Hourihane will continue to play along with Douglas Luiz and John McGinn at the centre of the park. The midfield trio will have to work their socks off to win the midfield battle as Wolves are expected to enjoy more possession at their own home ground.
Marvellous Nakamba will have to settle for a place on the bench but could come on to make an impact in the second half if required.
Attack
The Villans will once again set up with a front three of Jack Grealish, Ollie Watkins and Trezeguet up top. Grealish managed to get his name on the scoresheet in a losing effort against the Hammers, so he will be desperate to keep his good form going in the Premier League this weekend.
Keinan Davis is a significant concern for this game and will have to pass a late fitness test if he wants to be named on Smith’s bench.
