Here is how we predict Aston Villa to line-up against Nottingham Forest this weekend.
Aston Villa make the trip across the midlands to the City Ground for a Championship encounter against Nottingham Forest.
The Saturday evening kick-off provides Villa with an ideal opportunity to rectify their poor showing during the midweek loss to Brentford.
Manager Steve Bruce could well decide to ring the changes to his Villa side – starting with his goalkeeper.
See also: Played for both XI – Aston Villa & Nottingham Forest
January signing Sam Johnstone looked decidedly shaky against Brentford and Bruce may opt to remove the 23-year-old stopper from the spotlight. Back-up Mark Bunn is likely to deputise in a Johnstone absence.
One of Villa’s double transfer window signings from Barnsley, right back James Bree, is expected to be given his debut as part of a back four – completed by James Chester, Nathan Baker and, considering the demands placed on the exhausted Jordan Amavi so far this season, another would-be debutant in left back Neil Taylor.
Former Forest man Henri Lansbury is fully expected to start, alongside the returning Mile Jedinak and Bree’s former Barnsley team mate Conor Hourihane in a midfield trio. However, Albert Adomah, Leandro Bacuna and Birkir Bjarnason may play a part in Bruce’s selection plans.
See also: Predicted Nottingham Forest line-up to play Aston Villa – One debut starter
It is anticipated that Bruce will award another new signing, forward Scott Hogan, with his debut – in an three man front line accompanied by Jonathan Kodjia and, after impressing despite the midweek loss, rookie Andre Green – with Jack Grealish missing out.
Here is the predicted Villa line-up in full:
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