Hourihane And Kodjia To Start – Strongest 4-4-1-1 Aston Villa Line-Up To Face Preston On Wednesday

Predicted Aston Villa Line-up To Face Preston North End In The EFL Championship

Villa continue to tick along in the Championship and look like a fairly solid proposition for a play-off place at this stage. A 0-0 draw at Birmingham was more diplomatic than spectacular and an improvement is needed here.

They face a tough task however, at a much underrated Preston North End this midweek and will need to be at their very best to come away with all three points, something which actually looks relatively unlikely. Steve Bruce will probably go with a 4-4-1-1 formation once again.

Formation: 4-4-1-1

Manager: Steve Bruce

GK – Sam Johnstone

The on-loan Man United stopper may yet choose to stay on at Villa Park permanently and I would say the fans would feel very positive about this. He plays against his hometown team here.

RB – Ahmed Elmohamady

Bruce knows his game inside out of course and the attack-minded right-back is likely to start once more.

CB – James Chester

Very much regarded as an England star of the future at one point. While that hasn’t quite happened for him, he retains plenty of ability and should once again partner the former England captain.

CB – John Terry

The Championship is a long way from his heady days of winning the Champions League with Chelsea, but he remains important and will have to be positionally wise here.

LB – Alan Hutton

I’d much rather see the former Rangers and Tottenham man on the other side but for now, he is needed at left-back.

RW – Robert Snodgrass

Happy on this side and still possessing plenty of final ball quality, had Slaven Bilic played to Snodgrass’ strengths, he would by now be helping West Ham United get out of the dire position they are in, in the Premier League.

CM – Glenn Whelan

The former Stoke man has the quality of course, but as in the case of clubs like Sunderland, it has been shown that taking up players who are moving backwards in their career is rarely a good thing.

CM – Conor Hourihane

A lot was expected of him when he joined last season and he is certainly a force going forward. An excellent final ball will be needed for his side to get the win here and he could provide it.

LW – Albert Adomah

5 goals in 10 league games for the Ghanaian this season, which is a great contribution. More is needed here.

SS – Joshua Onomah

A supporting role once again for Onomah, who will slot in behind Kodjia or Keinan Davis.

ST – Jonathan Kodjia

Kodjia is a doubt for the fixture due to an ankle injury. He will start the game for sure if he is declared fit. If not, Keinan Davis should get a look in.