Aston Villa Predicted Lineup for Wolves Clash: Surprise Starts and Axes
Aston Villa are gearing up for a crucial Premier League encounter this Friday night as they travel to face local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux. The Villans are looking to bounce back from a frustrating 1-1 draw against Leeds United last Saturday, a result that saw them slip in the Champions League race. With Wolves struggling at the bottom of the table, this match presents a vital opportunity for Villa to regain momentum and secure three points.
Selection Dilemmas for Unai Emery
Unai Emery faces several key decisions in his lineup, particularly in defense and attack. Positions such as left centre-back, left-back, attacking midfield, right wing, and striker are all up for debate, with potential changes aimed at strengthening Villa's performance against their old foes. Emery views the draw with Leeds as a point gained, thanks to Tammy Abraham's late equaliser, but he knows a win at Molineux is essential to keep their top-four hopes alive.
Predicted Starting Eleven
Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martinez is expected to retain his spot despite some recent errors, as he remains a world-class option ahead of Marco Bizot.
Defenders: Matty Cash should start at right-back after returning to the team, with Ezri Konsa and Pau Torres forming the centre-back partnership. Pau Torres's passing ability is seen as crucial, while Ian Maatsen is likely to get the nod at left-back over an out-of-sorts Lucas Digne.
Midfielders: Douglas Luiz and Amadou Onana are predicted to anchor the midfield in a double pivot, with Onana overcoming fitness concerns to replace the injured Boubacar Kamara. Ross Barkley could earn a surprise start in attacking midfield after impressive substitute appearances.
Forwards: Jadon Sancho is tipped to start on the right wing ahead of Leon Bailey, having shown improved form under Emery. Morgan Rogers is considered undroppable on the left, while Tammy Abraham is expected to lead the line, replacing Ollie Watkins, who has been struggling for form.
This lineup reflects Emery's tactical adjustments to address recent inconsistencies and capitalize on Wolves' weaknesses. With key players like Abraham and Sancho in form, Villa will aim to dominate the match and secure a much-needed victory to boost their Champions League aspirations.
