Aston Villa are back in Premier League action on Saturday with a trip to Molineux to face Midlands rivals Wolves.
The Villans were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Arsenal at Villa Park prior to the international break, so Steven Gerrard and co. enter the weekend fixture on a two-game losing run.
They have been pretty inconsistent under Gerrard and must look to pick up maximum points in the final stretch of games to finish in the top half of the table.
After losing the last two league games, Gerrard will be hoping to see a big response from his side in the Midlands derby.
Lucas Digne had missed Aston Villa’s last game against Arsenal with a thigh injury, but he completed the full 90 minutes in France’s 5-0 victory over South Africa in the international friendly on Tuesday.
So, the French left-back is fit, but Kortney Hause remains doubtful having sat out the game against Arsenal with an abdominal issue.
Goalkeeper
Emiliano Martinez has been a consistent performer for Aston Villa since joining from Arsenal a couple of years ago. The lanky Argentinean should keep his place between the sticks on Saturday.
Defence
Ezri Konsa is a certainty to partner captain Tyrone Mings at the heart of the Villa backline. Matty Cash has nailed down his place at right-back with consistent performances, so the Pole should start.
However, Lucas Digne may have to wait longer to start, with Gerrard unlikely to throw him into the Aston Villa lineup after recently recovering from a minor hamstring problem. With Digne having played in the recent international friendly for France against South Africa, expect the Villa boss to stick with Ashley Young at left-back.
Midfield
Moving into the middle of the park, Douglas Luiz will take his usual no.6 role and screen the Villa backline against Wolves.
The Brazilian international is expected to feature alongside John McGinn and Jacob Ramsey in the Aston Villa lineup, with Gerrard likely to go with the continuity over the energy and exuberance of Morgan Sanson and Carney Chukwuemeka.
Attack
Philippe Coutinho featured in Brazil’s 4-0 victory over Bolivia in the recent World Cup qualifiers, but it remains to be seen if he will feature as he arrived late. Gerrard may not risk starting him at Molineux. Instead, the Villa boss could go with Morgan Sanson to partner with Emi Buendia as two number 10s.
Ollie Watkins’ place is not under threat, as the England international is expected to get the nod ahead of compatriot Danny Ings to lead the Aston Villa attack against Bruno Lage’s side.
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