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.
5. LB - Alex Moreno
Moreno continues his run in the team with Lucas Digne still a little way from a return. The Spaniard will play as the more advanced of the two full-backs. | Getty Images
6. RM - John McGinn
The captain tends to play best on the right flank, albeit a little narrower compared to a usual winger. McGinn has been exceptional this term. | Getty Images
7. CM - Boubacar Kamara
Kamara didn’t play well at all against the Toon but has a good chance here to put right his wrongs. | Getty Images
8. CM - Douglas Luiz
Luiz, despite another who dropped his levels midweek, remains one of the first names on the team sheet. | Getty Images