Predicted Aston Villa Line-up To Face Ipswich Town In EFL Championship
Aston Villa are more workmanlike than spectacular but got the job done again in midweek when they beat Sunderland 2-1 at Villa Park.
Jack Grealish came off the bench in midweek having recovered from kidney problems, though young winger Andre Green is still out. Glenn Whelan and Robert Snodgrass are both one card away from a one-match suspension but may both play a part here.
Steve Bruce is likely to stick with the same 4-4-1-1 shape as in midweek, with Grealish perhaps coming off the bench again as he continues his comeback.
Formation: 4-4-1-1
Manager: Steve Bruce
GK – Sam Johnstone
His form in goal is such that there has been a talk of Manchester United using their option to extend his contract by another year with Villa likely to launch a bid to sign him permanently.
RB – Alan Hutton
Back on his rightful side now and is still performing consistently at full-back. Should start.
CB – Chris Samba
A tough opponent for strikers to get around and is looking solid alongside Chester at the back this season.
CB – James Chester
Although he still has Premier League ambitions, Chester has probably found his level here and he is doing well with John Terry now out of the side.
LB – Neil Taylor
Most likely that he would have reached the same level as colleague Ben Davies had it not been for a bad injury. Should start against Ipswich.
RW – Robert Snodgrass
Performing much better now that he is on the side he is most comfortable in – something Slaven Bilic couldn’t understand at West Ham.
CM – Mile Jedinak
The Aussie captain scored a hat-trick of set pieces for his country in their world cup play-off and should be fully fit now to replace Glenn Whelan.
CM – Conor Hourihane
Statistically one of the better players in this division for both Villa and Barnsley over the last couple of seasons.
LW – Albert Adomah
A goal scorer against Sunderland and is likely to start on this wing once more.
SS – Joshua Onomah
Another scorer in midweek, Onomah can support Davis up front but will be pushed all the way by Jack Grealish, who may well arrive from the bench.
ST – Keinan Davis
The young man is filling in well up front and just needs a big goal to truly announce himself at Villa Park. He may well get his chance on Saturday and I’m sure he’ll take it with both hands.