Aston Villa preview.

Back to league action after 2, back-to-back cup games…

v Aston Villa

Villa Park

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from starting line-up in the last game: 9/11).

Fluid 3-5-2 / 4-5-1 / 4-3-3:

____________________Aguero____________________

__Sterling_____________________________B. Silva__

___________De Bruyne_______D. Silva_____________

_____________________Rodri_____________________

Mendy__________________________________Cancelo

_________Fernandinho_______Stones______________

____________________Ederson___________________

Subs: Bravo, Walker, Zinchenko, Otamendi, Gundogan, Mahrez, Jesus.

Ederson surely back in net for this fixture.

I think Mendy keeps his place, despite another ‘mixed bag’ from him last Tuesday night in an otherwise terrific team performance; Joao may step in on the right of the defence as he hasn’t seen any minutes since 4^th January. I’m going for Fernandinho & John to play in between those.

Rodders ‘the holder’ and, now-often-seen-as, a fluid, 3^rd central defender whenever the wing-backs REALLY ‘push on’; Raheem, Kevin, David & Bernardo ahead of him, all in attacking / creative support of Sergio.

Claudio back on the bench, I would think; Kyle, Oleksandr & Nicolas provide the defensive cover form the side. Ilkay, Riyad & Gabriel are the midfield / wing / striker choices form ‘the 7’.

Notable absences:

-       Aymeric Laporte – Although the French central defender is well into his rehab training, he’s yet to be given the final ‘all clear’ by the club’s Doctors / Medical Team.

-       Angelino – Not selected.

-       Phil Foden – Not selected.

-       Leroy Sane – On his way back from injury – continues light training / rehab.

Wow! With just two injuries, we’re actually back to that stage, now, where the manager has to start making some difficult decisions; in-having-to-leave-out fit / available, first-team players. That’s gotta be a first this season…or certainly in many-a-month, at least.

Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted) line-up?

Despite some, general improvement, I think I’d still rather have Zinchenko in the left-wing back position rather than Mendy. Other than that, that’s about one of our strongest line-ups ‘on paper’ in a good while. I think only Laporte would improve that predicted, starting line-up, with arguments ‘for & against’ the various wing-backs we have at our disposal…

Result? Having predicted, back in early October, that Villa would finish the season 14^th, our hosts lay just off that by 3 points and 3 places. They’re not doing quite as well as I thought they might do this season so far, following a summer where they strengthened the squad considerably...but I recon they’ll survive their first season back in the ‘top flight’.

They have only won 6 league games from 21, however, 2 of those 6 have come in the last 3-league games (could that be classed as showing signs of form?) and although one of those was at home to ‘whipping boys’ Norwich, the other was away at often-tough-to-visit, Burnley…although they too are in ‘free fall’ at the moment.

But I just look at our available players / predicted line-up and just can’t see us not winning. There are signs that we’re finally moving into ‘slipstream mode’ and I think we’ll come gliding home with all-3 points on Sunday. Away win.

Last season’s, corresponding pre-match prediction and result…

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: After a wet and slightly windy morning in the midlands, the forecast is for it to brighten up to the point where Villa Park may even see that bright, orange thing in the sky…before it disappears behind the stands at least. As the ref blows his whistle to start the game and we lose the daytime light, temperatures will dip to around 6C as the slightly stiff, 12mph winds drop a little to around 8mph. Stays dry for the match.