Following the postponement of game week seven’s fixtures, game week eight is now upon us, and Aston Villa host Southampton at Villa Park. Here is the team news from both sides heading into the final game before the international break.
ASTON VILLA TEAM NEWS
Aston Villa have a couple of injury concerns heading into Friday night’s game under the lights at Villa Park. Yet to feature in claret and blue is Leander Dendoncker who was unavailable against Manchester City due to illness. The Belgian midfielder is considered a ‘doubt’ for this week’s clash, but you’d expect the former Wolves man to make the match-day squad.
Full-back Matty Cash looks set to miss the next few week’s worth of action with a hamstring strain. The 25 year-old was not called up to the Polish national side for the upcoming Nations League fixtures against The Netherlands and Wales, and released a statement confirming his absence earlier this week:
“Due to an injury, I will not take part in the September grouping of the Polish national team. The rehabilitation is going well, but I will not be able to heal for the next matches. Good luck to the team and I will keep my fingers crossed for the boys.”
– Matty Cash addressing the Polish fans ahead of the international break.
Aside from this, Diego Carlos appears to be the only other absentee ahead of the Saints fixture, as the Brazilian continues to recover and rehabilitate from the devastating Achilles injury suffered against Everton near the start of the campaign.
On Wednesday, Aston Villa confirmed and released their full 25-man squad for the season. The full list, including that of the other 19 Premier League teams, can be seen using the following link: https://www.premierleague.com/news/2786707?sf260304646=1.
SOUTHAMPTON TEAM NEWS
There are a couple of injuries among the Southampton ranks heading into Friday’s big game. Young midfielder RomΓ©o Lavia is a confirmed absentee following a hamstring injury picked up at the end of August. Lavia was bought in the recently passed summer window, arriving from Manchester City for a fee of around Β£11 million, but Southampton will be without his services until mid-October.
Full-back Tino Livramento will be unavailable this week, and for the majority of the 2022/23 season too. The 19 year-old won a move to Southampton from Chelsea’s academy last year, and had a very impressive breakthrough campaign. Sadly, he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament rupture in April’s clash with Brighton & Hove Albion; an injury that required surgery. His Head Coach Ralph HassenhΓΌttl confirmed that the energetic defender will be “unlikely to return before the World Cup later this year.”
Barring any surprise injuries in the build up to Friday’s fixture, these two remain the only absentees for The Saints. HassenhΓΌttl has a vastly talented side, including the likes of captain James Ward-Prowse, defender Mohammed Salisu and midfielder Joe Aribo, among others that can cause Aston Villa problems.
PREDICTED LINE-UP
After the creditable draw against Pep Guardiola’s Man City, I believe Steven Gerrard will stick with a similar side. The only enforced change from the team that started the previous contest would be Ashley Young replacing the injured Matty Cash. Young had a fantastic 65 minute cameo at right-back, keeping the likes of Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne quiet on the night.
The midfield looked far more stable with Douglas Luiz on the left side, and Jacob Ramsey put in a fine performance in a more advanced role too. Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa looked back to their best in the heart of the Villa defence, and Gerrard will look to the defensive pair to build upon that showing.
I would like to see Leander Dendoncker utilised at some stage, but I cannot see the Head Coach dropping any of the midfield three that started vs City. Friday will be a big night for John McGinn who has struggled so far this season, and with other midfielders performing, you feel his place in the side is at risk.
Last time out against HassenhΓΌttl’s Southampton, The Villans came out 4-0 winners. The team that started saw both Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins up top. Will Gerrard resort back to this system? Philippe Coutinho put in a man of the match display that day too, so could we see the Brazilian maestro back in the line-up this week?
You can see my full predicted line-up below. What would you change? Have a go yourself using the following link: https://utvpodcast.co.uk/line-up-selector/. Be sure to share your attempt by clicking the twitter icon in the corner of the image too – can you get 11/11?
AUTHOR | LIAM DAVIES
Author’s UTV PODCAST archive liamayrtondavies – UTV Podcast | An Aston Villa Blog
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