Aston Villa face a difficult trip to Wolves on Sunday, as we look to continue our good form ahead of the international break.
Villa’s recent record against Wolves is poor, as we’re without a win in our last five league meetings, losing three of those, including our last two trips to Molineux.
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Coupled with their home win over Man City last time out, Villa will have to be at our best to get three points and extend our own good recent form.
Unai Emery ruled out both Alex Moreno and Jacob Ramsey in his pre-match press conference on Friday, while Boubacar Kamara and Moussa Diaby face late fitness tests. It’s hoped the French duo were left out against Zrinjski in midweek as a precaution, but time will tell if they are passed fit enough to start on Sunday.
Multiple changes, key Villa contingent come back in
After opting to rotate in the Europa Conference League again during the week, Unai Emery will make multiple changes from the side that secured a dramatic late win over Zrinjski.
Emiliano Martinez will remain between the posts, but Matty Cash and Pau Torres are expected to come back into the backline to partner Ezri Konsa and Lucas Digne.
Cash played a key role off the bench on Thursday night and so he’ll be itching to get back into the starting XI, while although Clement Lenglet put in a positive shift, it’s Torres who will get the nod for the league.
In midfield, John McGinn will hopefully be restored to the right side where he is arguably more effective, with Douglas Luiz coming back into the side as Nicolo Zaniolo keeps his spot on the left.
Much will depend on Kamara’s fitness but if he is available he should start, with Leander Dendoncker perhaps best placed to come in for him if he doesn’t make it, as the Belgian offers better defensive qualities and physicality to complement Luiz as opposed to going with Youri Tielemans which would raise questions over the balance of our midfield.
Dendoncker hasn’t particularly impressed when involved so far this season, but it’s hoped that if he is needed this weekend, he steps up and delivers a more impactful performance.
Leon Bailey will push for a starting berth having returned from his own injury problem in midweek, and so much will likely depend on whether or not Diaby is available.
If he is, he starts. If not, Bailey could stay in the Villa XI, and that in turn could result in a reshuffle that could see Zaniolo play in a more advanced role with McGinn on the left.
Up top, fresh from his England call-up and new contract, Ollie Watkins will lead the line, and he’ll hopefully continue his fine form after bagging four goals in his last two league outings.
Hopefully there’s good news on Kamara and Diaby, but Villa will hope that we can still put in a strong performance without them if necessary to pick up three important points ahead of the international break and continue to move up the standings.
Predicted Aston Villa XI vs Wolves: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Pau, Digne; McGinn, Kamara, Luiz, Zaniolo; Diaby, Watkins.
Any changes to this Villa XI, assuming Kamara and Diaby are passed fit?
