Aston Villa, one of the most iconic English clubs, went through a financial turmoil following their playoff final heartbreak versus Fulham but recovered somewhat before the inception of the new Championship season and secured back to back wins to stake a claim as prime promotion contenders.
But three successive draws in the league followed by a shocking midweek defeat to Burton Albion in the EFL Cup Second Round fixture has put Steve Bruce under pressure before their Saturday afternoon trip to Bramall Lane to contest a rejuvenated Sheffield United side.
Bruce, the Aston Villa gaffer, is desperate to bring the Villans back to winning ways but expecting a tough test on the road versus the Blades who have staged a stunning upsurge with three back to back victories in the league. Both the teams are on a same number of points after completion of five matchweeks and Chris Wilder, the United boss, is optimistic of yet another favourable outcome despite hosting one of the title favourites.
Team News
Villa are set to miss out a string of names through injuries most notably Jack Grealish who is a major doubt after sustaining a thigh injury versus Reading that saw him leaving the pitch at half-time. John McGinn will undergo a late fitness test following a knee strain whereas Harry McKirdy and Keinan Davis, the Aston Villa U23s duo, remain sidelined due to their respective shoulder and groin injuries. Scott Hogan is unlikely to be involved as he is still out with a groin strain but the Claret and Blues might welcome Yannick Bolasie, the loan recruit from Everton, for his Villa debut.
Predicted Aston Villa Lineup (4-4-1-1)
Defence
James Chester and Mile Jedinak have been their first-choice central defensive options who are likely to return after being rested against Burton on Tuesday night. Axel Tuanzebe, the Manchester United loanee, featured as a centre-back this midweek but should be shifted to the right-back role similar to previous league encounters.
Alan Hutton has exhibited reliability in either side of a ‘back four’ and is expected to operate as a left-back replacing Neil Taylor who has lost his first-team status since Tuanzebe’s inclusion.
Midfield
Ahmed El Mohamady is being deployed in right midfield and also found the back of the net against Reading last weekend. Veteran Irishman Glenn Whelan should be handed a start in place of John McGinn who is struggling to get fit for the South Yorkshire trip but the gaffer must rely on Birkir Bjarnason, the Icelandic international, who had a few underwhelming outings but is capable of staging a comeback banking on his profound experience.
Fans might see Yannick Bolasie making his Villa debut down the left flank replacing Albert Adomah whereas Anwar El Ghazi, the promising youngster on loan from Lille, must be lined up ‘in the hole’ where injured Jack Grealish was operating from. The Dutchman had an impressive outing versus the Royals assisting El Mohamady for the only Villa goal and should be utilized as a midfield attacker until Grealish recovers.
Attack
Jonathan Kodjia, the Ivory Coast international, will continue as the ‘number 9’ having netted thrice already in five league games and will be a threat on the Blades backline if allowed to exhibit his physical as well as aerial supremacy on Saturday afternoon.
