Aston Villa will be keen to bounce back from Tuesday’s defeat to Newcastle United as they take on Sheffield United away from home on Saturday late afternoon.
Unai Emery’s side suffered a surprise 3-1 dismantling midweek as they were outclassed in effectively every department by the Magpies. There’s an opportunity to respond now, though, with this weekend’s opposition struggling at the foot of the Premier League table.
The Blades, albeit an improved outfit under Chris Wilder since his sensational return to the club, have won just two league games this season. Add four draws to that and United have accumulated merely 10 points in 22 fixtures, leaving them nine points adrift from safety.
Villa, who dropped out of the top four after Tuesday's defeat, will see this as a must-win to keep up with fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur. Seven points is the gap to sixth still but any more games without victory will severely dampen the hopes of Champions League football.
Here's the lineup we predict Emery will go for on Saturday as the Spaniard is expected to make several changes to the team that faced Newcastle.
1. GK - Emi Martinez
Martinez will be disappointed to have conceded three last time out and will be keen to bounce back with a clean sheet at Bramall Lane.
2. RB - Ezri Konsa
Konsa moves across to right-back to replace Matty Cash, who has not been in the best form recently.
3. CB - Diego Carlos
Carlos is well rested and likely to start if Konsa does indeed move to right-back. A defensive switch-up is needed after Tuesday.
4. CB - Clement Lenglet
Lenglet was a bit of a scapegoat after the Newcastle defeat but that was undeserved as he made some huge blocks to keep the score down. Pau Torres, meanwhile, is still a big doubt.