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Aston Villa vs. Sheffield United: Lineup predictions as injuries loom large

By Josh Tonti

BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Neil Taylor of Aston Villa controls the ball during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Burton Albion and Aston Villa at Pirelli Stadium on August 28, 2018 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Neil Taylor of Aston Villa controls the ball during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Burton Albion and Aston Villa at Pirelli Stadium on August 28, 2018 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images) /
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After embarrassing defeat midweek, Aston Villa go again in the EFL Championship. A match-up at Bramall Lane awaits as injuries mount for both Sheffield United and the claret and blue.

Injuries, injuries, pesky injuries.

Villa are dealing with several small knocks to key players. John McGinn has a knee issue that could keep him out for another week or two. Thankfully, though, it doesn’t sound too serious. Jonathan Kodjia and Jack Grealish picked-up knocks in the 1-1 draw with Reading. After missing out in the Carabao Cup disaster, it looks as though both will be good to go.

Two questions linger about the statuses of new loan signing Tammy Abraham and the unfit Yannick Bolasie. We’ll see about their availability one hour before match time.

Sheffield United return to their home turf on a tear, having won three league games in a row. Striker Leon Clarke is an injury doubt, while Kean Bryan and George Baldock remain out.

Aston Villa Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Nyland; Tuanzebe, Chester (c), Jedinak, Hutton; Whelan; Elmohamady, Grealish, Hourihane, El Ghazi; Kodjia.

Substitutes: Moreira, Bree, Taylor, Bjarnason, Adomah, Bolasie, Abraham

If Abraham and/or Bolasie can’t go, expect Rushian Hepburn-Murphy to occupy a spot on the bench. Same goes for Henri Lansbury if both McGinn and Grealish miss out.

Steve Bruce seems hell-bent on Mile Jedinak, the starting centre-back. With Axel Tuanzebe acting as cover, James Bree could fill-in as 4th-choice. With no more cup competitions until January, it’s highly unlikely he’d see action in the position unless there are further injuries.

Albert Adomah’s relationship with the manager is worth monitoring from here on out. After his brother’s rant and failed move to Middlesbrough, is he still wanted at the club? The answer should unequivocally be yes, as Adomah is, at worst, the club’s third-best wide player. But we’ve seen Bruce unable to hold professional relationships with malcontent players before (see: Ross McCormack, Aaron Tshibola, Pierluigi Gollini).

Next. Aston Villa Land Tammy Abraham On-Loan. dark

WHEN: 1 September 2018 @ 3:00 p.m. GMT / 10:00 a.m. EST

WHERE: Bramall Lane / Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England

PREDICTION: 3-2 Sheffield United victory (Kodjia, El Ghazi)

This has Sheffield United shootout victory written all over it. Steve Bruce needs to showcase some resemblance of a functioning defense.

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