MX23RW : Wednesday, April 24 06:45:22| >> :120:59832:59832:

How Aston Villa could line up for their first game back

Sports Mole looks at how Aston Villa could line up for their first Premier League game back against Sheffield United.

Aston Villa will be looking to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they take on high-flying Sheffield United on June 17.

Dean Smith's side are due to play their game in hand against the Blades on the first night that the league resumes, before taking on Chelsea at some point on the weekend of 19-21 June.

Villa have lost each of their last four in the Premier League, including a 4-0 defeat at Leicester City on March 9, to sit 19th in the table, two points behind 17th-placed Watford.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how the strugglers could line up when they take to the field against Chris Wilder's team on June 17.


POSS VIL XI vs. SHU

Out: Tom Heaton (knee), Wesley (knee)
Doubtful: John McGinn (ankle), Jed Steer (Achilles)

Villa will still be unable to call upon either Tom Heaton or Wesley due to long-term knee injuries, but there is a hope that key midfielder John McGinn will be fit to return from an ankle problem.

The Scotland international has not played since December 21 but has stepped up his recovery over the lockdown period and could be in line to feature in the middle of the park.

Pepe Reina is battling Orjan Nyland for the spot between the sticks with Jed Steer still struggling to overcome an Achilles issue, while Smith has decisions to make in midfield.

Conor Hourihane could be the player to drop out should McGinn return, with Douglas Luiz and Marvelous Nakamba expected to keep their spots in a 4-3-3 formation.

The back four is unlikely to change, while Mbwana Samatta, who has scored twice in six appearances for Villa since arriving in January, should lead the line in Wesley's absence.

Anwar El Ghazi was left out of the starting XI against Leicester but should return, while Jack Grealish is expected to line up on the left side of a front three once again.

The speculation surrounding Grealish's future continues to gather pace, but there is no question that the Englishman will be determined to help his side move away from the relegation zone.

ID:401270: cacheID:401270:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4931:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Aston Villa's Jack Grealish reacts on January 21, 2020
Read Next:
Aston Villa's most valuable players
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal34245582265677
2Liverpool33228375324374
3Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle321551269521750
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd32155124748-150
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea32138116157447
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves33127144653-743
12Fulham34126165054-442
13Bournemouth33119134860-1242
14Crystal Palace3399154256-1436
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton33108153448-1430
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3337233188-5716


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!