Predicted Aston Villa team to play Reading: Formation change, one dropped?

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Here is how we expect Aston Villa and Reading to line-up ahead of their Championship meeting this weekend.

To be played on Saturday 15th April 2017 at 16:00. Venue: Villa Park, Birmingham

Odds: Aston Villa 3/4, Draw 5/2, Reading 16/5

Aston Villa welcome Reading to Villa Park for what promises to be a closely contested Championship encounter.

Villa, whose slim hopes of making the play-offs were dented by a 1-1 draw with Burton Albion last time out, prepare to host a Royals side smarting from a 7-1 defeat against Norwich City in their previous game.

However, Reading manager Jaap Stam sees his side remain in an encouraging place as the end of season run-in continues – with the Dutchman’s team currently in 4th position, with a six point buffer from Fulham in 7th.

In early team news, Villa manager Steve Bruce will be buoyed by the expected availability of goal-getter Jonathan Kodjia – after the Ivory Coast international had to be withdrawn after suffering a dead leg in the first half against Burton.

A Kodjia return could see Bruce opt to pair the Ivory Coast international with January signing Scott Hogan in an adventurous two-pronged strike partnership as part of a 4-4-2 formation.

If a Kodjia-Hogan combination materialises, then the man to miss out from the recently deployed 4-3-3 looks set to be French wide man Jordan Amavi – with a midfield quartet of Leandro Bacuna, Mile Jedinak, Henri Lansbury and Albert Adomah completing Bruce’s front six.

Meanwhile, opponents Reading have no significant injury absentees and may ring the changes in the aftermath of last weekend’s embarrassment against the Canaries – with Jordan Obita fully expected to be afforded a starting berth.

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