On the back of their creditable draw at home to champions Manchester City, Aston Villa look to take all three points from a struggling, bottom of the table Leicester City side. Here’s this week’s team news…
ASTON VILLA TEAM NEWS
Aston Villa defender Matty Cash was taken off inside 30 minutes in the latest fixture at home to Man City. The Polish full-back was replaced by Ashley Young, after suffering what appears to be a hamstring injury. After post-match confirmation from Steven Gerrard, the boss revealed that the defender would go for a MRI scan, and indicated that Cash is “naturally a doubt for Leicester next week.β
Aside from this, there are no fresh injury concerns for Gerrard heading into this weekend’s big game. Aston Villa will look to follow on from last Sunday’s spirited performance against Pep Guardiola’s superstar side, and earn what could be a critical three points at the King Power Stadium.
Ashley Young is expected to replace Cash on the right side of the Villa defence, with Frenchman FrΓ©dΓ©ric Guilbert still seemingly frozen out of the squad. This injury adds to the claret and blue’s defensive woes as long-term absentee Diego Carlos remains on the side lines.
The midfield discussion will be an interesting one heading into the game. Captain John McGinn is currently out of form, and peers such as Douglas Luiz and Jacob Ramsey are performing well. New signing Leander Dendoncker will also be looking for his first start after joining on deadline day. Could we see McGinn dropped for the upcoming clash?
LEICESTER CITY TEAM NEWS
Brendan Rodgers has endured a difficult start to the season as Leicester City boss, and his team finds themselves bottom of the table and winless. Rodgers had a tough summer and was unable to spend during the transfer window due to The Foxes complicated financial situation. Leicester critically lost goalkeeper and captain Kasper Schmeichel to OGC Nice, and key defender Wesley Fofana who joined Chelsea for a reported Β£80 million.
The East-Midlands club brought in just two players to replace the departing duo; shot-stopper Alex Smithies and centre-half Wout Faes. Leicester’s squad is certainly strong and more than capable however, with the likes of James Maddison, Youri Tielemans and Harvey Barnes still in the ranks.
Thankfully for The Foxes, there are is only one current injury concern. Full-back Ricardo Pereira has had a torrid time with injuries during his time at Leicester City, and this bleak spell continues this term after rupturing his Achilles Tendon at the beginning of August. Diego Carlos suffered the same fate, and therefore Pereira faces between 7-9 months out too.
Leicester head into the fixture on the back of a staggering 5-2 defeat away to Graham Potter’s exciting Brighton & Hove Albion side. Rodgers will be feeling the pressure at the moment, and will look towards Saturday’s clash with former old-firm rival Steven Gerrard as an opportunity to gain three points, thus alleviating some of the pressure and easing the board’s concerns.
PREDICTED LINEUP
I would make a couple changes to the side that earned the impressive point against City last weekend, with one being the enforced right-back alteration. Ashley Young comes in for Matty Cash for me, and after keeping Phil Foden at bay, the 37 year-old has another tough job up against Harvey Barnes this week.
I would also take out John McGinn from the line-up. Steven Gerrard spoke about the fact that no player has a guaranteed place in the starting eleven, and after a distinctly poor start to the campaign from the captain, I would drop him in place of new signing Leander Dendoncker.
Of course, the Belgian midfielder has yet to appear for The Villans, but having already played minutes for his former side Wolverhampton Wanderers this season, I feel he can slot right in alongside Boubacar Kamara and Douglas Luiz in the midfield.
It is a tough call to make, and Steven Gerrard has some big decisions to deliberate over with his coaching staff ahead of the weekend.
What changes would you make? My predicted line-up can be viewed below, and you can have a go yourself by visiting the following link: https://utvpodcast.co.uk/line-up-selector/. Following your selection, be sure to share your prediction on twitter for all to see, using the icon in the top corner!
AUTHOR | LIAM DAVIES
Author’s UTV PODCAST archive liamayrtondavies – UTV Podcast | An Aston Villa Blog
YOUTUBE | UTV PODCAST | PREDICTED LINE-UP
UTV PODCAST HQ
SUBSCRIBE
Enjoying this article – then please subscribe to UTVPODCAST | An Aston Villa Blog to help us grow and support the site; you’ll receive instant email notifications of all released article.
Plus, it’s completely free.
VILLA BELLAS
Villa Bellas is the Official AVFC Womenβs Network. In an unequal and often unrelenting world we work to break down barriers for equality.
Our network aims to raise the voice of women and non-binary people at @AVFCOfficial We support inclusion & diversity and with our allies, we can challenge sexism and misogyny, creating a safe and welcoming environment for the fans in the stands and the women on the pitch.
Let’s celebrate ourselves and champion each other while having fun doing it!
Twitter: @villabellas Instagram: @villa.bellas
DONATE
UTVPODCAST | An Aston Villa Blogβ is accepting small donations, which will help to support the site’s ongoing evolution.
Thank you so much for your support.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook and Twitter readers, click the respective icon below to follow our utvpodcast social media accounts.
UTVPODCAST is pleased to partner with Official AVFC Store, Fanatics, Kitbag, and Classic Football Shirts. Throughout the season, we will bring you special offers and discount codes.
ASTON VILLA | AVFC STORE
2022/23 Aston Villa Home Shirt – Shop Now
ASTON VILLA | CLASSIC FOOTBALL SHIRTS
