Aston Villa Play Host to Huddersfield Town

Aston Villa once again look for three points at home against high-flying Huddersfield Town. Villa Park welcomes The Terriers in another mid-week Sky Bet Championship match-up.

When: Tuesday, August 16th, 2:45PM EST; 9:45AM GMT

Where: Villa Park, Birmingham, England

Fresh off an enthralling 3-0 victory over Rotherham United on Saturday, Aston Villa go straight back into action with a tough home match-up with David Wagner’s Huddersfield Town. The forty-four year old Wagner–an ex-United States National Team player–is a bright up and coming manager in the football world. Upon appointment last campaign, Wagner led Huddersfield Town to safety in addition to collecting six points from two matches thus far in 2016. Aston Villa look to end this win streak and begin one of their own.

Roberto Di Matteo could look to go unchanged in Tuesday’s lineup following a trouncing victory on Saturday. Fatigue, especially in the early parts of a season, could be a considering factor however as he contemplates rotating the squad.

PROJECTED ASTON VILLA LINEUP (4-2-2-2): Gollini; Cissokho, Chester, Elphick, Bacuna; Tshibola, Westwood; Grealish, Ayew; McCormack, Gestede

Subs: Bunn, Richards, Hutton, Amavi, Gardner, Adama, Green

Look for Aly Cissokho to retain his spot at left fullback following an excellent performance on Saturday. Jordan Amavi remains first choice, but easing him into the lineup is both the right move now and in the long term for Aston Villa.

More from Claret Villans

Di Matteo has a lineup conundrum; albeit a good one on his hands. Playing Grealish, Ayew, McCormack, and Gestede together is rather difficult because that’s three forwards and an attacking midfielder in the lineup. A formation of the quartet leaves the wings susceptible to a counter-attack. It would not surprise me in the slightest if Adama Traoré made a shock start on the right wing to add necessary width and protection for Leandro Bacuna at right back.

The central defender pairing of James Chester & Tommy Elphick was absolutely dynamite Saturday–keeping them healthy and in-form is pivotal for an Aston Villa top six finish.

PROJECTED HUDDERSFIELD TOWN LINEUP (4-4-2): Ward; Schindler, Hudson, Lowe, Smith; Whitehead, Mooy, Hogg, Payne; Wells, Kachunga

Vice-captain Dean Whitehead returns following a three match suspension picked-up last season. Goalkeeper Danny Ward is on-loan from Liverpool where the Welshman serves as number three behind Loris Karius and Simon Mignolet. Ward started Wales’ opening match in the European Championships in a dramatic 2-1 victory over Slovakia. Number one goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey suffered back spasms shortly before their match up allowing Ward to step in.

Home/Analysis