Aston Villa sit just six points above the Championship drop zone. A home match against Derby County provides the perfect opportunity to reverse five consecutive league defeats.
Aston Villa Football Club have not won since Boxing Day.
As such, relegation fears now encompass every supporter. Villa need points, and they need them quickly. The claret and blue host 11th-place Derby County tomorrow.
Scott Hogan was ruled out for 4-5 weeks, but Jonathan Kodjia was declared fit for tomorrow’s match. Furthermore, Rushian Hepburn-Murphy and Gabby Agbonlahor are still two weeks away, minimum.
James Bree is in contention to start after recovering from a knee infection. In other Villa news, the official Twitter account confirms Chris Samba is training to earn a contract:
Steve Bruce confirms that centre-half Christopher Samba is training with Villa with a view to earning a contract here. #AVFC pic.twitter.com/VhMaJTfIvu
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) February 24, 2017
For Derby County, forward Nick Blackman is ruled out. The Rams may call upon Craig Bryson and Johnny Russell after recoveries from hip and hamstring injuries, respectively.
PROJECTED ASTON VILLA XI (4-3-3): Johnstone; Bree, Elphick, Chester, Taylor; Jedinak, Lansbury, Hourihane; Adomah, Kodjia, Grealish.
SUBSTITUTES: Bunn, Baker, Hutton, Gardner, Bacuna, Bjarnason, Davis.
James Bree replaces Alan Hutton, while Tommy Elphick and James Chester continue their central defense partnership.
With the loss of Scott Hogan, Villa is suddenly short in the attack department. Keinan Davis lays claim to a bench spot with Agbonlahor, RHM, and Hogan out injured.
Steve Bruce will be enthused to see the midfield triumvirate of Jedinak, Lansbury, and Hourihane at home. With any luck, these three will control the tempo in the middle of the pitch.
Next: Scott Hogan Was A Risky Transfer
Kickoff is slated for 10:00AM Eastern Time