Aston Villa Predicted XI: The Finale vs. Norwich City

The Canaries can wrap-up an EFL Championship title on Villa’s home ground. Will Dean Smith rest some players ahead of their play-off semi-final home leg?

Here we are.

Matchday 46 of 46, the finale vs. Norwich City.

For the second consecutive year, Aston Villa Football Club will participate in the Championship’s play-off structure as the 5th-place finisher in England’s second division. Next Saturday, May 11th, Villa will host their home leg against either West Bromwich Albion (more likely) or Leeds United (less likely). The team that finishes 3rd of those two will play one of Derby County, Boro or Bristol City. Chaos! Fun!

But Villa have one more obstacle until that challenge next weekend: the Canaries. Norwich’s incredible 91 goals this term fired the club back into the Premier League this coming fall. Any result vs. Villa and Norwich take the title. But should they lose and Sheffield United pick-up three points, the title would go to the Blades.

Dean Smith is expected to make numerous changes to his side with six days between the penultimate league game and semi-final clash next Saturday.

Aston Villa Predicted XI: Kalinic; Hutton, Elphick, Jedinak, Hause; Whelan, Hourihane, Lansbury; Green, Davis, Kodjia

Substitutes: Sarkic, Tuanzebe, Taylor, Bjarnason, Grealish, Adomah, El Ghazi

It all starts in goal where Lovre Kalinic is finally back fit after sustaining a knee injury whilst on duty with Croatia. Jed Steer almost assuredly won’t be involved, but will Smith give a debut to 21-year-old Matija Sarkic? Or let Kalinic handle the finale?

Alan Hutton will start, and possibly captain, in what could be his final Villa game. In central defense, Tyrone Mings should be rested, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see Axel Tuanzebe and Kortney Hause on the pitch in order to increase match sharpness. Both had been out in recent weeks through various injuries.

John McGinn won’t play, and Jack Grealish shouldn’t either. Therefore, a start for Henri Lansbury seems likely. Up top, some combination of Keinan Davis, Jonathan Kodjia, Albert Adomah and André Green should work just fine.

WHEN: Sunday, 5 May 2019

WHERE: Villa Park

PREDICTION: 2-2 draw (Green, Lansbury)