Aston Villa are in all sorts of trouble at the moment and none other than their gaffer in the shape of Steve Bruce is undergoing the baptism of fire as his team is in the loop of collapses. The Villans have lost four games on the trot with their latest defeat at the hands of Barnsley where they were outclassed at their own backyard by a 1-3 score line. Currently placed 16th in the league table with merely 36 points to show for, they face an uphill task at St. James’ Park on 21st of February.
Newcastle United will host Bruce and co. in what promises to be a battle for supremacy in the second tier for the Magpies and of lost pride for Aston Villa. The two former Premier League powerhouses collide, and despite the perception that Aston Villa will set their feet into the crunch fixture as the underdogs, they can pull off an unexpected result if they garner the best out of their resources and exploit the loopholes that exist in the home side. They are hungry for blood and a decent result would be a huge impetus for Aston Villa going into the business end of the season.
Here is our predicted line-up of Aston Villa for the big game.
Defence
Sam Johnstone is expected to start with the gloves once again and it would be asked from him to let his prolonged debacle of mediocrity cease to exist. Skipper James Chester will most likely pair up with Nathan Baker once again right at the heart of the Lions’ defence, with Alan Hutton on the right-back slot to create openings whilst his endeavours of marauding forward. On the left-back, Jordan Amavi is likely to keep his place against Newcastle United.
Midfield
The former Hull City boss is likely to fork out a 4-4-2 formation, with Albert Adomah on the on the right wing and Jack Grealish on the left. The pair of Henri Lansbury and Conor Hourihane should be given the task of keeping the side together and knitting them with meticulous passes from the middle.
Attack
Up front, Bruce is seemingly likely to go with a two-man forward line comprising of Jonathan Kodija and Scott Hogan. The former has been stupendous for the Villans so far this term whereas the latter is yet to shrug off the pressure that has been mounting on him ever since his move to the Villa Park.
