Aston Villa will look to continue their excellent recent form with a win against Nottingham Forest, here is our predicted XI.
Aston Villa could climb as high as second with a win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday. Currently fifth, three points could see Unai Emery’s side leapfrog Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal, depending on results elsewhere.
Forest meanwhile sits in 16th and will be desperate for a win which could move them nine points clear of the drop. But despite playing a lowly side, Emery will start a strong team, after getting midweek off.
So here is our predicted XI to face Forest…
Aston Villa Predicted XI
So assuming that Emery goes strong, Emi Martinez will no doubt start in goal. An ever-present this season and will be confident after winning the Yashin award last Monday.
At right-back, Matty Cash will continue with the hopes he remains excellent for the Villians.
At left-back, Alex Moreno is nearing a return but for now, Lucas Digne remains the only option.
The two centre-backs will be Pau Torres and Ezri Konsa as usual, with the pair building a really solid understanding.
Moving into midfield, Douglas Luiz and Boubacar Kamara should both continue with little challenge from Youri Tielemans to disrupt the duo.
On the right we want Leon Bailey starting, as he definitely deserves it after a wonderful season so far.
The left should therefore occupy John McGinn ahead of the £75k-per-week man that is Nicolo Zaniolo.
Finally, the two up front should be the obvious two. Ollie Watkins with Moussa Diaby just off him, a deadly pairing.
Villa XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Bailey, Kamara, Luiz, McGinn; Diaby, Watkins.
