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Aston Villa’s team news ahead of the Bolton fixture

By Atharva Khadilkar

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 15: Dean Smith manager of Aston Villa during a press conference at Villa Park Stadium on October 15, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 15: Dean Smith manager of Aston Villa during a press conference at Villa Park Stadium on October 15, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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Aston Villa face Bolton Wanderers at the Villa Park on Friday evening. Here’s a look at their team news as they seek to get a result after two straight defeats.

Aston Villa host Bolton Wanderers at the Villa Park on Friday evening’s Championship clash. The Clarets will look to bounce back to winning ways after two successive losses against Norwich City and Queens Park Rangers by just one goal margins in the last whole week. However, there will be a number of absentees and doubts for the match. Dean Smith has provided the latest team news ahead of his team’s outing.

The 47 year old has confirmed that midfielder Birkir Bjarnason is highly doubtful for the match on Friday. The Icelandic was subbed off in the first half of the QPR game in Villa’s eventual 1-0 defeat and has been having problems with his groins. The hosts will certainly miss his presence on the pitch and Smith was quick in highlighting that.

"“Tonight BB has felt his groin and would have normally gone and pressed the lad who put him through,” Smith said. “We just couldn’t get close to him.”"

Glenn Whelan, John McGinn and Conor Hourihane are the options available at central midfield for the boss.

Dean Smith had Tammy Abraham in his training session and the 21 year old striker is in contention to play against Bolton. Albert Adomah was absent in Villa’s loss at the Loftus Road last weekend. Whether he will feature on Friday evening is still unclear as there’s no clarity as to whether he has trained well yet or not. Aston Villa will go in this game as clear cut favorites, especially after Bolton’s loss against Hull City last Saturday. Getting all three points against the Trotters would ensure 13th place for Villa ahead of Stoke City, Wigan Athletic, Sheffield Wednesday and Brentford.

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