Gerrard makes a big call, £100k-p/w flop axed in 2 changes: Predicted AVFC starting XI - opinion

Aston Villa are back in action this afternoon with a Premier League clash against Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium. 

Having lost their two previous league games 1-0 against Newcastle United and Watford, Villa boss Steven Gerrard will be desperate to avoid getting a hat-trick of defeats this afternoon and instead see his side pick up a much-needed victory. 

In his pre-match press conference, the 41-year-old revealed that in terms of which players will be available for selection for this afternoon’s clash, Bertrand Traore is still out with an injury but defender Ezri Konsa will be back after serving a suspension. 

With that in mind, here’s our prediction for Villa’s starting XI to take on the Seagulls. 

Having started all but one of Villa’s league games so far this season, we see no reason why Gerrard would not stick with Emi Martinez in goal and hope he’s able to keep a clean sheet for the first time since their 1-0 win over Everton last month. 

In a back four, for the two full-back positions, we think Lucas Digne will keep his place on the left with Matty Cash on the right. 

At centre-back, while it’s likely that club captain Tyrone Mings will keep his place in the team to lead from the back, Gerrard will have a big choice to make over who will partner the England international. 

In our view, we think Gerrard will put Konsa back in next to Mings but will make a big call and try something new by putting Chambers in a defensive-midfield role ahead of Douglas Luiz, who was taken off in the second half in the defeat against Watford. 

Then for the other two midfield positions, having racked up a higher average of tackles per game than any other Villa player this season, it would seem likely that John McGinn will