After three successive defeats, Aston Villa got back to winning ways against a youthful Liverpool team in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.
The Villans now turn their attention to the Premier League where they will face Southampton at home on Saturday.
Villa are perilously close to the relegation zone as they are level on points with Saturday’s opponents, who are 18th in the Premier League table.
Dean Smith’s side needs a win against the Saints to climb up the table and to safety. The last time these two sides faced off at Villa Park was in 2016, when Southampton won 4-2.
Let’s take a look at the possible Aston Villa lineup for Saturday’s game:
Aston Villa Team News
Jed Steer and Tyrone Mings are the two long-term injuries who will be absent for the game against Southampton, as will young striker Keinan Davis.
Predicted Aston Villa Lineup vs Southampton
Goalkeeper
Tom Heaton was given a rest for the game against Liverpool as Örjan Nyland featured in goal. But the experienced England international should return to the starting lineup this weekend.
Defence
James Chester made a return to the Villa side after an 11-month absence in the League Cup game, playing alongside Ezri Konsa at the heart of the defence.
It’s too soon for Chester to play another match, which means that he will be replaced by Björn Engels at the back in the Aston Villa lineup.
Kourtney Hause could get his second Premier League start for Villa against the Saints. Frédéric Guilbert and Matt Targett should start at right-back and left-back, respectively.
Midfield
Henri Lansbury, Douglas Luiz, and Conor Hourihane started in the 5-0 win over Liverpool, and we could see one of the three retain their place for the game against Southampton.
Hourihane could start once again, joining Marvelous Nakamba and John McGinn in the Villa midfield.
Attack
Jack Grealish was an unused substitute in the League Cup game, but he could return to start for Villa on the left side of attack.
Anwar El Ghazi, like Grealish, was also an unused substitute, and he could start on the right side of attack.
Jonathan Kodjia scored a brace in the mid-week win, which could bring him back into the reckoning to start for Villa. But, Dean Smith may persist with Wesley as Villa’s main striker after the Brazilian also got on the scoresheet.
