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Aston Villa vs. Blackburn Rovers: Three points please

By Josh Tonti

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22: Jonathan Kodjia of Aston Villa celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Brentford at Villa Park on August 22, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22: Jonathan Kodjia of Aston Villa celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Brentford at Villa Park on August 22, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /
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A date at Ewood Park awaits following the international break. Aston Villa really, really need three points against Blackburn Rovers.

Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray is without Ben Gladwin and Dominic Samuel, after both were ruled out for the remainder of the season with serious injuries. Likewise, midfielder Jack Rodwell will be unavailable as he makes his way back to full fitness.

Rovers have started the season on average footing – stuck on nine league points just like Aston Villa. Veteran defender Charlie Mulgrew is the surprise leading goalscorer with three. Star midfielder Bradley Dack follows closely with two. Left back Amari’i Bell, Chelsea loanee Kasey Palmer, and Forest loanee Ben Brereton complement the squad with young talent.

Steve Bruce should have Tammy Abraham and Yannick Bolasie available after the pair missed out on recent league matches. Bolasie’s international window was spent building-up fitness, while Abraham scored for England’s under-21 side midweek.

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

Substitutes: Moreira, Tuanzebe, Taylor, Bjarnason, Hourihane, Adomah, Bolasie.

Away from home, I think Glenn Whelan gets the nod over Birkir Bjarnason. The latter spent the break battling for Iceland, while Whelan benefits with a full week of training. Elsewhere in defense, Mile Jedinak hasn’t fallen out-of-favor with Bruce yet, while Ahmed Elmohamady shifts to right-back.

Next. Kodjia And Mooney Won't Stop Scoring. dark

Yannick Bolasie’s fitness is still a question so Anwar El Ghazi and/or Albert Adomah may get the nod over the D.R. Congo international. John McGinn, hopefully fresh after appearing for Scotland, partners Jack Grealish in midfield. It’s not ideal, but Jonathan Kodjia shifts to the left for Tammy Abraham at the No. 9 position. Again, it’s what I think Bruce might do.

WHEN: Saturday, 15 September 2018 @ 5:30 p.m. GMT / 12:30 p.m. EST

WHERE: Ewood Park / Blackburn, Lancashire, England

PREDICTION: 3-1 Aston Villa victory (Grealish, Abraham, Bolasie).

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