Championship outfit Aston Villa have started their new campaign in an utter dismal fashion as they have collected merely 5 points from their first 5 league outings. Securing an automatic promotional spot, or at least a playoff berth would hold paramount importance for them this season owing to the squad they possess and the expectations that are mounted on their shoulders.
Under the tutelage of Steve Bruce, the Villans have done some stupendous signings during the summer transfer window, with the likes of Glenn Whelan, Ahmed Elmohamaday, John Terry, Robert Snodgrass and Sam Johnstone being roped into their ranks. Bruce does have a fantastic side and unarguably, it is high time now for them to start chalking out productive results to register a strong push for the uplift.
Brentford, their opposition this weekend, have also had a sluggish start to their campaign as they have bagged merely 2 points from their first 5 outings. Both these sides would be keen to up their ante, and thus, we do expect a nail-biting encounter. Here is how we expect Aston Villa lining up for their game against Dean Smith men at the Villa Park.
Defence
Johnstone is expected to be handed the position between the sticks and ahead of him, we expect a four-man defensive wall comprising of James Chester and Terry at the central defensive slots, with Elmohamady likely to be used as the right-back in order to accommodate Snodgrass on the right flank.
Starting from the left-back slot should be Neil Taylor to complete the back four. Chester, Terry and Taylor have not missed a single minute so far and it is anticipated that the former Hull City boss would pencil them in the starting line-up to boost their chances of bagging all three points.
Midfield
Andre Green is expected to be used wide on the left and Snodgrass on the right as mentioned. In the middle of the park, it is anticipated that Conor Hourihane and Josh Onomah would be teed up along with Whelan to keep things neat and tidy in the middle and to also knit the side together. Nonetheless, the major attraction of the game would be Snodgrass.
Attack
Right up front, Keinan Davis is expected to get the nod against the Bees owing to the absence of Jonathan Kodjia due to malleolar injury. Davis is still in his learning years but a lot is being expected out of him already.
This is how they might line up: