Here at Last Word On Football we bring you our Aston Villa predicted lineup for their next fixture at Villa Park on January 4, against struggling Leicester City.
Aston Villa Predicted Lineup Vs Leicester City As Villans Look to Mount European Push
How Aston Villa Have Lined Up Recently
Villa made three changes in their last outing against Brighton. Ollie Watkins returned for the suspended Jhon Duran. Youri Tielemans was dropped deeper to accommodate a return for Leon Bailey with Amadou Onana dropping to the bench, and Diego Carlos replaced a suspended Matty Cash.
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Emi Martinez remained in goal with Ezri Konsa pushed to right back; a centre back pairing of Carlos and Pau Torres started; Lucas Digne completed the back four. Boubacar Kamara and Tielemans were stationed in front of the defence with captain John McGinn operating in the attacking midfield space. Morgan Rogers and Bailey were down the flanks and top scorer Watkins led the line up front, completing Unai Emery’s much loved 4-2-3-1 system.
Aston Villa Recent Form
Sticking with his trademark 4-2-3-1 system, Emery’s side headed into their game against Brighton with their confidence knocked after their 3-0 defeat to Newcastle. This was highlighted early on in the game as Brighton took the lead at Villa Park after just 12 minutes; Simon Adingra the goalscorer. Shortly after, Villa were handed another heavy blow as key defender Torres was forced off with an injury 20 minutes into the game.
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Despite these setbacks, The Villans answered with a penalty goal from Watkins in the 36th minute, marking his eighth goal of the season. The Spaniard’s side headed into the half time break 1-1. The claret and blue team came flying out for the second half; Rogers scored to make it 2-1 in the 47th minute. Villa thought they could’ve won it from there but Tariq Lamptey thwarted their attempts, levelling the game at 2-2 in the 81st minute, leaving Villa with just one win in four league games.
Aston Villa Injuries And Suspensions
Villa will be without Duran, their second top scorer, through suspension after his controversial red card vs Newcastle. Key creator Rogers will also miss the game via suspension due to an accumulation of too many yellow cards.
Read More: ‘How Everton Can Improve In The January Transfer Window’
Spanish centre back Torres is set to be out for two months due to injury which will provide a run in the starting lineup for Tyrone Mings. Cash does return for Villa but it is unclear whether he will return to his starting spot.
Aston Villa Predicted Lineup
GK- Emi Martinez
RB- Ezri Konsa
CB- Diego Carlos
CB- Tyrone Mings
LB- Lucas Digne
CDM- Boubacar Kamara
CDM- Youri Tielemans
CAM- John McGinn
RM- Leon Bailey
LM- Jacob Ramsey
ST- Ollie Watkins
