Predicted Aston Villa line-up to face Stoke City in the Championship
Aston Villa’s draw against West Bromwich Albion certainly didn’t help their cause in making it back into the top six. Dean Smith’s side did manage to beat Middlesbrough though and have shown good form under the new manager.
The Villans welcome Stoke City to the Villa Park this weekend. The Potters have also shown improved form and a win would see them go above Aston Villa on the table. Dean Smith has to make sure his side are ready for the game.
Team News
Birkir Bjarnjason, Keinan Davis, Jack Grealish, Neil Taylor and Albert Adomah are all out injured and will most probably miss this clash. James Bree and Henri Lansbury are also major doubts and might not feature. Dean Smith has to make do with his current crop of players.
Probable Aston Villa XI
Manager: Dean Smith
Formation: 4-3-3
Orjan Nyland (GK)
Nyland needs to show more consistency between the sticks. He will keep his place for this clash as well.
Alan Hutton (RB)
Hutton has looked very good under Dean Smith. His runs down the flank have been massive for the club.
Axel Tuanzebe (CB)
Tuanzebe is starting to mature into a good centre-back at Aston Villa. He will continue at the back.
James Chester (CB)
Chester has been an able partner to Tuanzebe at the back. He will continue to play in central defence.
Ahmed Elmohamady (LB)
The Egyptian should start in place of the injured Neil Taylor. His pace could cause all sorts of problems to the opposition.
John McGinn (RCM)
The Scottish international has done well after coming back from injury. He will continue in central midfield.
Conor Hourihane (CM)
Hourihane has dictated the play well in the middle of the park and will continue to do so against the Potters.
Glenn Whelan (LCM)
Whelan will come in for the injured Jack Grealish. He should bring a sense of security in the middle of the park.
Anwar El Ghai (RW)
Scored both the goals for the Villans last week and will surely start this game.
Tammy Abraham (ST)
The Chelsea loanee has been in good form and will surely aim to get on the scoresheet.
Yannick Bolasie (LW)
The Congo international needs to show more bite in the final third but he has been a menace at times.
