Grant Ward replaces the injured Cole Skuse in midfield in an otherwise unchanged Town side at Aston Villa this afternoon.

Ward took over from Skuse during the first half of last week’s 2-2 home draw with Reading, the former Bristol City man having suffered an achilles injury. Town will again line-up in a 3-5-2 system.

Aston Villa hand a debut to former Swansea full-back Neil Taylor and home debuts to one-time Blue Conor Hourihane, Scott Hogan and Birkir Bjarnason. Striker Keinan Davis, who had a trial with the Town academy at the start of last season, is on the bench.

Villa: Johnstone, Hutton, Elphick, Chester (c), Baker, Taylor, Lansbury, Bjarnason, Hourihane, Kodjia, Hogan. Subs: Bunn, Bacuna, Green, Gardner, Amavi, Adomah, Davis.

Town: Bialkowski, Emmanuel, Chambers (c), Taylor, Berra, Knudsen, Ward, Diagouraga, Huws, Lawrence, McGoldrick. Subs: Gerken, Pitman, Spence, Bru, Sears, Moore, Kenlock.

Photo: TWTD

warktheline added 14:39 - Feb 11 Very pleased with team, go entertain!
7

cat added 14:40 - Feb 11 Great line up, can't fault it. Let's hope MM sends them out with the message to get at them, not sit back and stifle the game. Midfield is looking very positive
6

irishtim added 14:42 - Feb 11 Would have Samuel on bench instead of either Sears or Pitman. Otherwise happy.
4

TimmyH added 14:42 - Feb 11 Kenlock for Knudsen and believe that would be the best team Mick could put out today with available players...Skuse won't be missed. Expecting at least a point today. Best of luck boys!
7

jutever added 14:47 - Feb 11 Good team.....COYB'S
3

OwainG1992 added 14:47 - Feb 11 Hope for a win. Think we can get at least a point today. Villa seem to have bought as many players as possible without building a team yet. I'm gonna go 1-1 draw.
4

RaymondovicBlue added 14:48 - Feb 11 That's a good attacking team.... Go attack!!
4

martin587 added 14:51 - Feb 11 I have a very good view in the stand.On paper the team looks very good.Lets hope we can build from last week. Good support from the Town supporters. COYB?
3

irishtim added 14:52 - Feb 11 Agree Timmy H but think Kenlock not fully fit.
2

Bobby_Petta added 16:04 - Feb 11 No lose there,
1

Chondzoresk added 16:14 - Feb 11 50 mins up 4 shots on target v 16 shots on target.....you lot are easily pleased...FFS! Amazingly fantastic attacking team. Law of averages will says Villa will find net sooner rather than later
0

kingy4978 added 17:00 - Feb 11 Or maybe not chondzoresk
3

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