Relegation-threatened Blackburn Rovers host Aston Villa on Saturday, in a match that could determine their Championship status. It’s the second-to-last league match of the year.
Ex-Premier League club Blackburn Rovers remain in serious trouble.
With 45 points through 44 matches, the Riversiders need at least six points from their final two matches to feel slightly safe. Birmingham City, currently stuck on 47 points, would need only one win from their final two matches should Rovers fails to gather six points.
As such, a home match-up against Aston Villa at Ewood Park will be closely watched by many involved parties.
Jonathan Kodjia returns to the claret and blues, following his one match suspension. The Ivorian needs one more goal to cement his season as one of the finest in an Aston Villa shirt.
Kodjia has the chance to be Villa’s first 20-goal league scorer since Peter Withe in 1980-1981. (Christian Benteke scored 19 in the Premier League in his debut 2012-2013 season).
PROJECTED ASTON VILLA XI (4-4-2 Diamond): Johnstone; Bree, Chester (c), Baker, Taylor; Jedinak, Lansbury, Hourihane, Grealish; Hogan, Kodjia.
Substitutes: Bunn, Elphick, Hutton, Amavi, Gardner, Adomah, Agbonlahor.
Steve Bruce makes one notable change to the starting line-up. The right back position is in flux going into next season. Aston Villa have three players vying for one spot: the recovering Ritchie De Laet (don’t forget about him), 19-year old James Bree, and Alan Hutton.
Bruce could opt to see Bree gain some valuable experience entering the summer period.
Jonathan Kodjia returns to partner fellow striker Scott Hogan. Elsewhere, a 4-4-2 diamond set-up allows Jack Grealish another run-in with the team. Expect Henri Lansbury and Conor Hourihane to pinch-in with the fullbacks providing width.
Next: Aston Villa to swoop for ANOTHER Barnsley pair
Kickoff is Saturday at 10:00AM Eastern Time.