Predicted Aston Villa side to play QPR: What to do with Hogan?

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Here is how we predict Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers will line-up ahead of their midweek Championship encounter.

To be played on Tuesday 4th April 2017 at 19:45. Venue: Villa Park, Birmingham

Odds: Aston Villa 8/11, Draw 5/2, QPR 10/3

QPR’s Conor Washington and Aston Villa’s Nathan Baker in action

Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce has one major selection headache ahead of the home clash with Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday evening.

Bruce, whose side have hit somewhat of a purple patch in recent weeks, will decide on the fitness of centre forward Scott Hogan – after the January signing from Brentford was withdrawn with another injury after just 37 minutes of the weekend victory over Norwich City.

Aston Villa’s Scott Hogan receives treatment before being stretchered off

If Hogan fails to make the line-up, then Bruce will need to decide who to draft in to Villa’s starting XI – with the main candidates being Jordan Amavi, Andre Green or Jack Grealish.

It was Amavi who received the nod to replace Hogan from the bench against the Canaries – however, after returning from a month long injury absence, winger Grealish may be a more effective offensive option for Bruce, as would the impressive rookie Green.

QPR’s Conor Washington and Aston Villa’s Jordan Amavi in action

In other areas of the pitch, Bruce has fewer selection dilemmas. Considering that his rejuvenated back line have kept six clean sheet in their last seven games, it is unlikely that Bruce will deviate from the same back five and midfield trio that secured maximum points against Norwich last time out.

Meanwhile, opponents QPR could welcome back Jack Robinson and combative midfielder Massimo Luongo – but the game has come too soon for Ravel Morrison, who looks set to miss out on the trip to the Midlands.

Here is our predicted line-up for both Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers, in full: