3 changes as Gerrard unleashes £14m man for first start: Aston Villa predicted XI v Brighton

Follow us on Google Discover

A new dawn at Aston Villa has begun and it will get underway for Steven Gerrard when he guides his new team out against Brighton on Saturday.

Villa are on a five-game losing streak and the last team to knock them to the floor were Southampton before the international break.

Dean Smith, who will ironically enough face-off against the Saints in his first game in charge of Norwich, played a back three during that match.

But it wouldn’t be a surprise if Gerrard changes that up and plays a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation against Graham Potter’s men.

It’s what the former midfielder prefers, and in truth, it’s what suits this Villa side best.

Added with that, certain players, that were seemingly out of the first-team picture under Smith, might now find themselves thrown straight into the XI.

One man that could step out of the darkness is Villa’s £14 million January signing (Sky Sports) Morgan Sanson, who is yet to earn a single minute of Premier League football this season.

The Frenchman could start at the weekend, alongside John McGinn and Douglas Luiz in the middle of the park.

Gerrard could make three changes from that defeat against the Saints under Smith.

With a change in formation, Villa could revert to a back four, with Matty Cash, the returning Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings and Matt Targett making up the backline.

Added with that, it’s a three-man midfield, with McGinn, Luiz and Sanson aiming to impress the legendary midfielder in the dugout – Nakamba is the one who misses out from the last game.

Then it’s a front three of Emiliano Buendia, Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins, with El Ghazi dropping to the bench.

Aston Villa predicted XI v Brighton: Martinez (GK), Cash (RB), Konsa (RCB), Mings (LCB) and Targett (LB). Luiz (CDM), Sanson (RCM), McGinn (LCM). Buendia (RW), Watkins (ST), Bailey (LW).