Predicted Aston Villa side to play Rotherham: forward casualties for Bruce

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Here is how we expect Aston Villa to line-up for their Championship clash with Rotherham United this weekend.

To be played on Saturday 4th March 2017 at 16:00. Venue: AESSEAL New York Stadium, Rotherham

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

Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has a significant injury issue ahead of this Championship encounter at Rotherham’s New York Stadium.

Senior strikers Gabriel Agbonlahor and new signing Scott Hogan are joined in the treatment room by rookies Rushian Hepburn-Murphy and Andre Green – after the latter was substituted following a late injury in Villa’s midweek victory over Bristol City – leaving Bruce with just goal-getter Jonathan Kodjia in attack.

Fortunately for Bruce, Kodjia, who scored the opener against former club Bristol on Tuesday evening, is Villa’s top goalscorer in a so far fragmented Championship campaign.

After a disappointing season thus far, Villa’s fortunes may be showing signs of positivity – considering that the Midlanders have won their last two league games. Indeed, a victory over relegation threatened Rotherham this weekend would see Villa record three successive victories for the first time since 2010.

Ahead of the game, Villa will be without the suspended Leandro Bacuna and the injured Gary Gardner – another casualty from midweek. However, Bruce is able to select the same defensive unit that is beginning to establish itself on the back of two consecutive clean sheets.

It is anticipated that Gardner and Green will be replaced by Conor Hourihane and Jack Grealish.

Meanwhile, hosts Rotherham have their own injury concerns. Goalkeeper Lee Grant, defender Kirk Broadfoot and striker Jonson Clarke-Harris are all sidelined, alongside latest injury absentee Joel Ekstrand. Midfielder Lee Frecklington is pushing for involvement and may be considered for action.

Here is the predicted line-up for both Aston Villa and Rotherham United, in full: