Shorthanded Aston Villa travels to Loftus Road in EFL Championship play
By Josh Tonti
Aston Villa entered the international break far healthier than they returned. John Terry is still at minimum a month away, Steve Bruce “fears the worst” for Jonathan Kodjia, and Scott Hogan underwent a stomach operation.
There is a striker crisis at Aston Villa currently. Blink if you have ever heard that before. Jonathan Kodjia is out for the foreseeable future following a re-aggravation of his surgically repaired ankle while on Ivory Coast duty.
Yes, the same one in which he re-injured again just 2-3 weeks ago. One word: Yikes. To add salt to the festering wound, Scott Hogan underwent a stomach procedure. No details were provided other than he too will be out for the foreseeable future. Thoughts and prayers that it is not anything too serious that affects his well-being. With Ross McCormack on-loan in Melbourne, that leaves just 19-year old Keinan Davis as the single fit striker.
ICYMI: Davis signed a new contract that can keep him in the claret and blue until summer 2020.
Next: Keinan Davis, Aston Villa agree to an extension
Saturday’s match at Loftus Road represents something close to an inflection point for Aston Villa. Steve Bruce’s squad is facing an organized, middle-of-the road away match against Queens Park Rangers on a depleted squad.
Is a promotion push actually realizable? Or will this be the point in time where hopes disappear? A loss will certainly add discontent among Villa stakeholders.
PROJECTED ASTON VILLA XI (4-4-1-1): Johnstone; Elmohamady, Samba, Chester (c), Hutton; Snodgrass, Whelan, Hourihane, Adomah; Onomah; Davis.
SUBSTITUTES: Steer, Jedinak, Taylor, Lansbury, Bjarnason, O’Hare, Grealish.
With John Terry injured, James Chester assumes the captaincy. One of Chris Samba or Mile Jedinak will fill-in at central defense. However, expect Samba to have the upper hand initially, especially with Jedinak flying halfway across the world – five times. U.K. to Sydney to Honduras to Sydney to U.K.
Robert Snodgrass faces a late fitness test whereas Josh Onomah is good to go after missing the last league match. Steve Bruce’s recent bread-and-butter, a disciplined 4-4-1-1 looks a good bet with no Jonathan Kodjia or Scott Hogan available. Keinan Davis will lead the line. Alan Hutton continues at left back over Neil Taylor.
Per BBC, QPR defenders Nedum Onouha, Grant Hall, and James Perch all remain sidelined.
WHEN: Saturday, November 18, 2017 @10:00 a.m. EST
WHERE: Loftus Road, London
PREDICTION: 2-1 Aston Villa victory (Davis, Adomah) (Washington)
Call me overly optimistic, but Villa could capitalize with several QPR defenders out. Albert Adomah’s ability to counter will be a key to three points. Expect QPR to win the possession battle.