Aston Villa boss Dean Smith has injury concerns heading in to his side’s Thursday evening tie with Manchester United.
With just five games remaining in the Premier League this season, Smith’s side need to start picking up victories if they are going to beat off the threat of relegation.
A defeat on Sunday afternoon against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool saw Villa remain in 18th place but one point off 17th placed Watford.
Things don’t get much easier for them as the face an in-form Manchester United next. Here at the Transfer Tavern we have predicted how the Villans will line-up, including three changes.
Pepe Reina was handed a chance in goal against his former club Liverpool at Anfield and the Spaniard did not put in a bad performance, potentially prompting Smith to select him over Orjan Nyland, however, two games in the space of five days could be too much for the 37-year-old veteran.
Tyrone Mings suffered an injury scare against Liverpool but it is unlikely that he will be replaced or handed a rest, given that Villa are in desperate need of some points.
Whilst Mings suffered a slight problem, so did Jack Grealish but Villa’s best performer this season will continue to start.
In attack, Keinan Davis is being afforded a good amount of playing time and that is unlikely to change, but he could be joined by £8.55m-valued Mbwana Samatta. The duo were partnered together in a front two in the Villans’ last home game against Wolves and with goals and wins now vital for the club, Smith may opt to try and include both for added firepower.
That would mean reverting to a midfield diamond so Conor Hourihane could also come back in as a natural centre-midfielder. This would see wingers Trezeguet and Anwar El Ghazi drop to the bench.
Let us know your Aston Villa starting eleven below in the comments section…
