Aston Villa welcome Newcastle United to Villa Park this week as they hope to get back to winning ways. Here is our predicted XI…
In recent weeks goals have dried up for Aston Villa which has seen just one goal scored in their last three games.
Although this may sound negative, Unai Emery’s side have managed to keep three clean sheets in that time.
After a 0-0 encounter against Chelsea in the FA Cup last time out, focus will now return to Premier League football this week.
They welcome a Newcastle United side who currently sit tenth in the Premier League. They are now winless in the Premier League since mid-December, according to FotMob.
There will be plenty of Villa players who will look to get back into their stride and hit some good form. That can also be said of Eddie Howe and his side who are growing frustrated in recent weeks.
With all that being said, let’s take a look at our Aston Villa predicted XI v Newcastle United…
Aston Villa Predicted XI
After a simply world-class performance against Chelsea, there can be no doubt as to how good Emi Martinez is. As a surprise to nobody, the Argentine will take his place between the sticks in our predicted XI.
The back four is going to see a change as we suggest that Matty Cash should be dropped from the starting XI. In his place, Ezri Konsa will move out wide and Diego Carlos will return to the side after coming on vs Chelsea. Clement Lenglet will keep his place in the side despite a shaky performance, at times, last week. At left back, Alex Moreno will of course keep his place in the side with Lucas Digne out injured.
In this predicted XI we suggest that there will be no changes in the midfield from the Chelsea encounter. Boubacar Kamara and Douglas Luiz were superb against the Blues and maintain their spots as ever-presents. On either flank, John McGinn will be complimented by Youri Tielemans who help to create Emery’s box formation. They were great last time and will all start again.
Upfront, Ollie Watkins is a shoo-in to maintain his place as the Villans’ number nine as he looks to get back on the scoresheet. Choosing who goes alongside him is tough. After the performance of Moussa Diaby against Chelsea it has to be Leon Bailey. The Frenchman was lethargic and generally poor and is deserving of being dropped.
Aston Villa predicted XI: Martinez, Konsa, Carlos, Lenglet, Moreno, Tielemans, Kamara, Luiz, McGinn, Bailey, Watkins
