Aston Villa eye Wolves double as injuries bite
Steve Bruce recalls stabilising Villa amid fears of dropping out of the Championship, losing the 2018 play-off final, and landing John McGinn despite tight funds. He praises owners Sawiris and Edens.
Loanee Lewis Dobbin shines at Preston with 7 goals and 5 assists in 27 league games, mainly at centre-forward, pressing a pre-season case for Emery amid potential attacking changes at Villa.
Opta’s supercomputer gives Villa a 62.9% chance at Wolves. A win would seal a first league double over Wolves since 2003-04 after November’s 1-0, with Wolves goal-shy and often conceding first.
Andreas Weimann reflects on spells at Villa and Wolves, recalling his FA Cup goal in Wolves’ 2-1 win at Liverpool and key strikes for Villa against elite sides, including a late winner v Manchester City.
Villa may miss Tielemans, McGinn, Kamara and Harvey Elliott, with Alysson a doubt. Tammy Abraham scored v Leeds but Watkins should start. Likely XI includes Bailey, Rogers and Buendía, with Mings expected to retain his place.
Piotr Wołosik says Matty Cash refused to meet Poland boss Michał Probierz in England, seen as ‘unprofessional’, which hurt his selection. Under Jan Urban he is restored and has scored in recent qualifiers.
Unai Emery insists Villa are not top-five contenders yet his meticulous work has them overperforming expected points, coping with injuries to Kamara, Tielemans and McGinn, and chasing Europa League glory.
FPL GW27: Abraham scored and earned bonus for 7 points, Konsa hit 7 with an assist and strong defending. Martínez got 3. Cash passed 100 points, chasing Rogers on 127.
Wolves v Aston Villa kicks off 8.00pm UK, Friday 27 February, live on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event, with streaming via Sky Go and Sky Sports+.
