Aston Villa
Amazingly, Saturday’s victory was Villa’s first since February. The team and fans had almost forgotten what it was like to win a match. Now that they are back to winning ways, they’ll be keen to replicate that success and produce a run of results together. They are highly likely to name the same team which so easily beat Rotherham United at the weekend. That was their first competitive victory for some time, so Roberto Di Matteo is unlikely to make any changes. Baker sat that game out with a head injury. He remains a doubt for this game, but new signing Chester impressed on his debut anyway. Di Matteo does have some decent options available to him should he want to rotate. Bacuna, Gardner, Richards and Green headline those alternatives. Kozak continues to miss out through injury, whereas Lescott, Veretout and Agbonlahor are all out of favour and could leave the club before the summer transfer window closes. Confidence is much higher now that they won their first league game for some time at the weekend. To achieve this in front of their own fans was even more satisfying. They’ll now be aiming to go on a positive run of results.
Huddersfield Town
Confidence is high around the club. It is two league wins from two and they sit high in the league table. Everyone in and around the club believed this could be an exciting season, and the first few weeks suggest they were right to think that. Villa is a tough test, but beating Newcastle suggests they can beat anyone. Wagner does welcome back the experienced Whitehead into the squad after serving a three-game ban. There is every chance he will return on the bench, as his experience could be useful to call upon at some point in the game. Murphy, Billing and Bunn continue to miss out through injury, although all are nearing returns. Huddersfield have a plethora of options available to them should they wish to make more changes. Hefele, Cranie, Paurevic, Payne and Palmer are the obvious alternatives. They will try to replicate the tactics they showed in the excellent victory at Newcastle United. They would play a possession game when they had to, but it was their intense pressing which was crucial. They’ll squeeze up the pitch when Villa build from the back, looking to force turnovers or errors.
Verdict & Prediction
Not many believed Huddersfield could go to Newcastle and come away with three points. They fully deserved this, and there was no fluke about it. Villa is another difficult test, but it is one that this Huddersfield squad will feel they can come away with another memorable victory.
Odds: 1.76 SBOBET
