Aston Villa vs. Bristol City: Predicted lineups – September 28th
By Josh Tonti
Bristol City centre-half Tomas Kalas will miss the match as Aston Villa travel to Ashton Gate. There’s a good chance we’ll see our old friend Andreas Weimann in the Robins’ attack.
Steve Bruce and Aston Villa travel to Bristol City on Friday evening for another EFL Championship match under the lights. While the claret and blues arrive with a mostly healthy squad, Bristol will be without starting centre-back Tomas Kalas after the broken jaw he received in last week’s loss to Wigan.
While the Chelsea loanee will be out, Bristol is still led by an impressive core of prime talent. Former Villan Andreas Weimann has 5 goals through 9 matches. Elsewhere, Callum O’Dowda, Marlon Pack, and Marley Watkins offer a midfield challenge for Aston Villa.
This is a crucial match and possible inflection point for Bruce. I can’t see a scenario in which he keeps his job with another poor loss. A result, and a good showing at that, will go a long in both the table and morale surrounding the club.
Aston Villa Predicted XI (4-1-2-1-2): Nyland; Elmohamady, Chester (c), Tuanzebe, Hutton; Jedinak; Hourihane, McGinn; Grealish; Bolasie, Abraham.
Substitutes: Bunn, Bree, Whelan, Bjarnason, Adomah, El Ghazi, Kodjia.
How about a little switch in formation, shall we?
It’s tough to surmise Friday’s lineup, but it’s clear Bruce wants all 3 of Grealish, Hourihane, and McGinn at the same time, with two forwards. This 4-4-2 diamond allows Grealish to create through the middle just ahead of the two midfield shuttlers. The introduction of Jedinak in the No. 6 hole and Tuanzebe at centre-back allows Villa to dictate set-piece play.
Yannick Bolasie should be fit enough to start at this point. He brings pace and width to a forward role just off the starting No. 9 Tammy Abraham.
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WHEN: Friday, 28 September, 2018 @ 7:45 p.m. GMT / 2:45 p.m. EST
WHERE: Ashton Gate, Bristol, England
PREDICTION: 2-2 draw (Bolasie, McGinn)