Following the events of the recent international break, Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa will reconvene and prepare for a trip to Elland Road to face Leeds United on Sunday. Here’s this week’s team news and predicted line-up.
ASTON VILLA TEAM NEWS
Despite dodging injuries during the international interval, Aston Villa have as many as five players unavailable for the trip to West-Yorkshire. Goalkeeper Jed Steer continues to recover from an Achilles tendon issue picked up whilst on loan with Luton Town near the beginning of the year; the newly-turned 30 year-old is due back to fitness at the start of November.
Diego Carlos is another player who remains sidelined. The Brazilian defender tore his Achilles tendon against Everton earlier this season, and has been rehabilitating since. The length of the 29 year-old’s injury means he will miss out on this year’s World Cup. Another man who may not travel to Qatar is Boubacar Kamara. The midfielder damaged his knee ligament’s in the previous bout with Southampton, and will be touch and go in regards to a call-up for Les Bleus.
His French teammate Lucas Digne will be unavailable for selection this weekend too, after picking up an ankle injury. The full-back is expected to be out of action for 2-3 weeks following recent scans. To finish, Matty Cash is also a doubt for Sunday’s big game. The Polish defender missed the victory over The Saints, and the contest with Jesse Marsch’s men may come too soon for the former Nottingham Forest man.
This is somewhat a crisis period for Aston Villa as they are missing a number of key, influential players. Steven Gerrard could have done without these injury issues following the build up of good form with a draw against Man City and victory over Southampton last time out. Regardless, he will look to guide his side to a third game undefeated and consecutive victories at Elland Road.
LEEDS UNITED TEAM NEWS
This week’s opponents, Leeds United, have as may as five doubts for their home fixture this weekend. The Lilywhites could be without three full-backs this week, namely Junior Firpo, Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas. Firpo suffered a knee injury during Leeds’ pre-season campaign in Australia, and was expected to miss the first two months of the term. Luke Ayling meanwhile hurt his nose in a clash with Brentford’s Ben Mee, and will wear a mask if picked on Sunday.
Stuart Dallas on the other hand has been absent from the Leeds United squad since the end of April following a femoral fracture. The 31 year-old utility man suffered the freak injury in a challenge with Manchester City’s record signing Jack Grealish, and despite problem-less recovery so far, the Northern Irishman faces a long spell out.
Joining these two in the injury room is centre-back Liam Cooper and top scorer Rodrigo. Cooper was forced off with a calf injury during Leeds’ Carabao Cup tie with Barnsley last month, meanwhile Rodrigo looks to recover from a shoulder injury picked up against Everton at the end of August.
Striker Patrick Bamford returns to full fitness, and is reportedly set to start the game alongside the likes of Tyler Adams, Robin Koch and Brendan Aaronson. Jesse Marsch faces similar problems as his managerial counterpart Steven Gerrard in terms of selection, but will be gunning for a third Premier League win of the season this weekend.
PREDICTED LINE-UP
Aston Villa are down to their bare bones currently, and so I feel the predicted line-up segment may be a bit easier this week. There are limited numbers in the full-back area, and so I believe we’ll see Ashley Young and Ludwig Augustinsson from the get-go. Calum Chambers is also an option at right-back, and has a good track record when playing at Elland Road.
With Kamara out, I think we’ll see Douglas Luiz come straight back into the side, and sit in the 6. We could see Marvelous Nakamba make his first appearance of the season however. John McGinn and Jacob Ramsey are expected to keep their place in the midfield.
Finally, the forward line appears to be the only area of the squad that is unaffected by injury. As a result, I believe the same three that started against Southampton will remain in the starting line-up to face Leeds.
You can see my attempt at the predicted line-up below. Have a go yourself by visiting https://utvpodcast.co.uk/line-up-selector/. From there, be sure to share your image by clicking the twitter icon in the corner. Up the Villa!
AUTHOR | LIAM DAVIES
Author’s UTV PODCAST archive liamayrtondavies – UTV Podcast | An Aston Villa Blog
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