Aston Villa’s Final Test: The Second City Derby

A raucous Villa Park on Sunday will watch as two heated rivals battle in the closing stages of the season. It’s Aston Villa vs. Birmingham City in The Second City Derby.

Aston Villa may not have much to play for, save for cohesiveness heading into next season. However, Birmingham City have everything on the line to play for.

The Blues sit three points above the relegation zone after a circus of managers. Then-manager Gary Rowett was a surprise sack back in December after mid-table performance. Legendary Chelsea FC player, Gianfranco Zola, shockingly took over and won two matches in twenty-four appearances. He stepped down this Monday, replaced by Harry Redknapp.

For Villa, Jonathan Kodjia remains suspended, but for only one match. The Ivorian is eligible to return for the claret and blues’ final two league matches.

Neil Taylor underwent fitness tests today to determine his status for Sunday.

PROJECTED ASTON VILLA XI (4-3-3): Johnstone; Hutton, Chester (c), Baker, Taylor; Jedinak, Lansbury, Hourihane; Adomah, Hogan, Grealish.

Substitutes: Bunn, Elphick, Bree, Amavi, Gardner, Bacuna, Hepburn-Murphy.

Much of this lineup depends upon the health of left-back Neil Taylor. Steve Bruce’s reluctance to use Jordan Amavi at the position garnered a system switch to a 3-5-2.

However, a pair of 3-1 defeats to Reading and Fulham should scrap that plan in the short-term.

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Sam Johnstone continues in goal behind a suddenly leaky back line. The same back line who collected seven clean sheets from eight matches just last month.

Elsewhere, Jack Grealish gets a start on the wing, flanking striker Scott Hogan. Hogan, 24, starts in the absence of Jonathan Kodjia. Can the front three of: Adomah, Hogan, and Grealish secure the goals?

Kickoff is 7:00AM Eastern Time.