Aston Villa vs. West Bromwich Albion: Predicted XI – Nov. 7th

A Friday night match under the lights awaits Aston Villa Football Club and West Bromwich Albion.

Two high-flying attacks meet Friday evening at The Hawthorns. Led by an attack of Harvey Barnes, Jay Rodriguez, Dwight Gayle and Matt Phillips, manager Darren Moore’s team boasts an incredible 42 goals scored through 20 matches.

Since taking over at Villa, Dean Smith has rivaled the Baggies in terms of scoring. Tammy Abraham won’t stop scoring, Yannick Bolasie is beginning to find starts, while Jack Grealish, John McGinn and Conor Hourihane command and create from the centre of midfield.

Fullback Alan Hutton is good-to-go following a one-match yellow card suspension. Albert Adomah and Henri Lansbury return, respectively, while Birkir Bjarnason will make a surprise return to training following groin surgery. That latter tidbit is interesting, and important, as I was expecting BB to be out for a few months as opposed to just a few weeks.

For West Brom, forward Hal Robson-Kanu could be out.

Aston Villa Predicted XI (4-3-3): Nyland; Hutton, Tuanzebe, Chester, Taylor; Hourihane, McGinn, Grealish; Bolasie, Abraham, El Ghazi.

Substitutes: Bunn, Jedinak, Elmohamady, Whelan, O’Hare, Kodjia, Hogan.

No status update on James Bree, but Mile Jedinak was available last Saturday. Dominic Revan could be another bench addition if one or both can’t play.

Elsewhere, Ørjan Nyland continues in net, just behind the consistently-picked back four. Anwar El Ghazi retains his place on the wing after a dazzling display. He and Yannick Bolasie have been switching flanks frequently. Jonathan Kodjia and Scott Hogan remain bench options; a symbol of Villa’s deep and talented attacking options.

WHEN: Friday, 7 December 2018 @ 3:00 p.m. EST / 8:00 p.m. GMT

WHERE: The Hawthornes

PREDICTION: 2-2 Draw (El Ghazi, Bolasie).

This match could finish 3-2 WBA, 3-2 Villa, or 5-5 again and it wouldn’t shock me too much.