Brighton & Hove Albion lineup vs. Aston Villa: Predicted XI for Premier League clash

Fabian Hurzeler will have to contend with as many as 10 absentees due to various injury issues for Brighton & Hove Albion's upcoming Premier League clash with Aston Villa at the American Express Stadium.

Igor Julio has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a hamstring issue that required the defender to have surgery, while Brighton will also be without Adam Webster, who suffered a hamstring strain in their FA Cup loss to Nottingham Forest over the weekend.

As Joel Veltman (ankle/foot), Ferdi Kadioglu (toe), James Milner (thigh) and Tariq Lamptey (ankle/foot) are all also set to remain on the sidelines, Brighton are expected to line up with Jack Hinshelwood, Lewis Dunk, Jan Paul van Hecke and Pervis Estupinan in defence.

Bart Verbruggen has been Brighton's first-choice goalkeeper for the majority of the campaign, and the Dutch goalkeeper will keep his place between the sticks as Jason Steele misses out due to a shoulder injury, which is likely to rule him out of action until early May.

Solly March has been out of the side since a 2-1 victory against Fulham in early March, and although the midfielder will be unavailable against Aston Villa, he is expected to return in the coming weeks, while Mats Wieffer's return date is unclear after picking up a muscle injury.

Georginio Rutter could be the final member to miss out on Wednesday's clash with Aston Villa due to injury, as the attacking midfielder is currently being assessed after being forced off in the defeat to Nottingham Forest at the weekend.

The Frenchman's absence means that Joao Pedro is likely to return to the team, starting behind Danny Welbeck in attack, while Diego Gomez could start ahead of Yasin Ayari in a midfield partnership with Carlos Baleba.

Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup: Verbruggen; Hinshelwood, Van Hecke, Dunk, Estupinan; Baleba, Gomez; Minteh, Pedro, Mitoma; Welbeck

> Click here to see how Aston Villa could line up for this fixture