Aston Villa will take on Chelsea at Villa Park on Sunday, hoping to snap their two-game winless run in the Premier League.
The Villans have endured a poor season so far with just two wins registered from nine games. They find themselves 16th in the table, just three points above the dreaded drop zone. Steven Gerrard knows he must start picking wins to keep his job safe at Villa Park.
After back-to-back draws with Leeds United and Nottingham Forest respectively, Gerrard will be desperate to buy a win against a resurgent Chelsea side to ease some immediate pressure off his shoulders.
Leon Bailey is available for selection again after missing Monday’s 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest with a slight muscle problem. Matty Cash and Cameron Archer returned to action at Forest and have been managing niggles this week but are expected to be fit for the weekend.
Steven Gerrard hopes to have Lucas Digne and Ludwig Augustinsson back by the end of the month, whereas Boubacar Kamara and Diego Carlos will remain out for a bit longer.
Goalkeeper
Emiliano Martinez is Aston Villa’s undisputed No.1 and should start in between the sticks against Graham Potter’s Chelsea.
Defence
Lining up in a 4-3-3 formation, Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings are guaranteed starters in central defence in the Aston Villa lineup. The centre-back duo will need to be on their toes for the entire 90 minutes to keep an exciting Chelsea attack quiet.
Matty Cash’s adventurous ventures down the right could cause problems for the visitors’ backline, but he must also stay diligent when defending against the big budgeted Chelsea attack.
Ashley Young, meanwhile, will deputise at left-back in Lucas Digne’s injury absence in the Aston Villa lineup.
Midfield
Douglas Luiz, John McGinn and Jacob Ramsey will likely make up the midfield in the Aston Villa lineup. Luiz will offer protection to the defence while reprising his No.6 role, facilitating Ramsey and McGinn’s path to bomb forward and exploit spaces in behind the opposition.
The trio of Luiz, McGinn and Ramsey must work well in tandem to win the battles against Chelsea in the centre of the pitch. Morgan Sanson and Leander Dendoncker will offer cover in midfield.
Attack
Emi Buendia could get another opportunity to shine on the right flank in the Aston Villa lineup.
Philippe Coutinho would try to use his creativity, vision and shooting ability to good effect from the left. The two South Americans must combine well and create opportunities for Ollie Watkins in the box.
Watkins is likely to spearhead the Villa attack despite failing to score in the last six games. Danny Ings might again have to be content with a role on the bench, hoping to make an impact in the second half if called upon.
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