Villa Aim for Eighth Consecutive Home Victory
Aston Villa prepare for their Premier League encounter with Wolverhampton Wanderers this Sunday, targeting an impressive eighth successive home win at Villa Park. The match presents a stark contrast in fortunes, with Unai Emery's side riding high after recent successes.
Team Selection Headache for Emery
The major talking point surrounding Villa's lineup concerns the attacking partnership. Donyell Malen delivered an outstanding performance in midweek, scoring twice in the 2-1 victory over BSC Young Boys. This has sparked debate over whether he will retain his place ahead of, or alongside, first-choice striker Ollie Watkins.
Emery might revert to the system that proved effective before the international break, which saw Malen and Watkins operating together in attack. This would provide a formidable challenge for any defence.
Opposition in Dire Straits
Wolves arrive in Birmingham under new management, with Rob Edwards taking charge of his first game last weekend. However, his debut ended in a 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, extending their winless run.
The statistics make for grim reading for the visitors. They remain winless in all 12 league games this season, having accumulated just two points. This represents the third-worst points tally at this stage in English top-flight history. Furthermore, their record of seven goals scored and 27 conceded is the poorest in the division.
Predicted Villa Lineup
Emery is expected to field a strong side to capitalise on Wolves' vulnerabilities. In goal, World Cup winner Emi Martinez is a certainty.
The back four is likely to consist of Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, and Lucas Digne. This experienced defensive unit will be confident of keeping a clean sheet.
The midfield partnership of Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans is anticipated to provide both steel and creativity. John McGinn could operate on the right flank, with the in-form Morgan Rogers, who scored a brace against Leeds, on the left.
The final decision rests on the attacking duo. The predicted lineup suggests both Watkins and Malen will be given the nod to lead the line together, forming a potent strike force.
Aston Villa predicted XI vs Wolves: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans; McGinn, Rogers; Malen, Watkins.
