Douglas Luiz Aston Villa
Villa Park Aston Villa

Aston Villa have been blowing hot and cold this season, winning three and losing three out of their first seven Premier League games and next up they take on Midlands rival Wolves at home.

Dean Smith’s side are undefeated in their previous five home matches but they do go into this game at the back of a loss to Spurs before the international break.

The Aston Villa boss does have a few injuries to deal with meaning he will once again fail to name his strongest side. Having said that, some key players should return from injury but we’ll have to wait and see if the manager uses them in the first XI or not.

The home side set up in a 3-5-2 formation vs Spurs but that plan clearly did not work so we think Smith is going to play it safe this time around and revert back to a traditional back four.

A win for Aston Villa will see them move closer to the top-four but if they lose they could very well slide down to the 15th spot.

Aston Villa team news vs Wolves:

Emi Martinez remains a doubt because he’s going to be with his national side up until the early hours of Friday. If he can make it back in time only then will he get to feature against Wolves.

Midfielder Douglas Luiz is part of the Brazilian contingent and he’s also facing the same issues. But we don’t think he’s as important to Dean Smith as Martinez. So even if Luiz is back in time, he’ll only be good enough to find a place on the bench.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Aston Villa FC (@avfcofficial)


Morgan Sanson has returned to training which is a massive boost for the Villa boss. But some reports though suggest the manager will be reluctant to throw him straight into the starting line up.

If that is the case then Ramsey and McGinn will pair up in central midfield while Ghazi and Emi Buendia are deployed out wide.

Leon Bailey should also be returning from injury but Aston Villa have some really tough games coming up which is why the manager is only expected to use him as a substitute.

Ollie Watkins was called up to the England squad during the international break and this weekend he will pair up with Danny Ings in attack for Villa.

Aston Villa predicted line up vs Wolves:

Predicted Line up: Martinez; Konsa, Mings, Targett, Cash; John McGinn, Ghazi, Buendia, Ramsey; Ollie Watkins, Ings.

Aston Villa predicted line up vs Wolves

Injury updates via Premier Injuries.

Read: Which players are Newcastle United expected to sign during the January transfer window?

Read: 5 managers who could replace Steve Bruce at Newcastle United.