Aston Villa v Leeds predicted lineups: Chris Wood set to return for Whites?

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Leeds United travel to Villa Park hoping for a repeat of the result from their last encounter with Aston Villa.

To be played on Thursday 29th December 2016 at 19:45. Venue: Villa Park, Birmingham

Odds: Aston Villa 10/11, Draw 5/2, Leeds 11/4

Leeds United face Aston Villa at Villa Park on Thursday hoping to match the result they secured when the two teams met at Elland Road at the start of the month.

On that occasion, Garry Monk’s men shaded a narrow game as Kemar Roofe and Chris Wood scored late on to hand the Whites the three points.

And could Monk be boosted this time around by the return to the starting lineup of one of his goalscorers from that night?

Leeds United’s Chris Wood

Wood had limped out during the early stages of their clash with Reading midway through December and subsequently missed the win over Brentford.

However, the New Zealander played the final nine minutes of Leeds’ emphatic win over Preston North End on Boxing Day, so it would hardly be a surprise if he came back into the starting lineup against the Villans.

One alternative plan Monk may consider is leaving Wood on the bench, pushing Kemar Roofe up front and playing Pablo Hernandez in the attacking midfield role given that the Spaniard got more minutes under his belt against the Lilywhites. However, with Roofe performing so well at Deepdale, he may decide to stick with the former Oxford man in that role.

Jack Grealish of Aston Villa (R) and Kalvin Phillips of Leeds United in action

Meanwhile, with just three days separating this game from Leeds’ previous, it would also not be a surprise if Liam Bridcutt was initially rested given his lack of game-time this term. Ronaldo Vieira and Kalvin Phillips shone in the previous meeting so a resumption of their partnership could make sense.

Things may perhaps be much simpler for Steve Bruce as it seems entirely possible that he could name an unchanged team from the one that has beaten Burton Albion and Queens Park Rangers in their previous two games, with Ross McCormack being handed the chance to face the side he once captained.