Aston Villa’s 5 game unbeaten streak was ended on Saturday afternoon by promotion-chasing side Reading. This was Villa’s first defeat at home in two months.
According to Bruce, Villa’s performance on Saturday afternoon contained more errors than the last two months combined – and it is very difficult for disagree him. Villa never got going and were sloppy from the very first minute right up until the final whistle.
However, the players don’t have the time to dwell on this below-par performance as they face Fulham on Monday afternoon, less than 48 hours after the Reading game.
Fulham are on the hunt for the 6th and final play-off place, so have everything to play for. Villa, on the other hand, cannot get a play-off place and are in no danger of relegation, so since they have absolutely nothing to play for, we expect Bruce to make a number of changes for this one.
Here is our predicted XI for Monday’s match against Fulham.
GK: Sam Johnstone
Bruce will make a few changes for this match, but we don’t reckon he will swap the keepers around.
RB: James Bree
Hutton has had a very solid season for Villa, but with nothing left to player for, we reckon that Bruce might just give young James Bree a run out.
CB: James Chester
As usual, he will be one of the first names on the team sheet.
CB: Mile Jedinak
With Baker being a doubt because of injury, we reckon that Bruce will move Jedinak back into the CB position.
LB: Jordan Amavi
Was Villa’s worst player against Reading, but with Taylor injured, it is highly likely that he will start at left back again.
RM: Andre Green
Hasn’t played much lately, but with Adomah’s poor form, we reckon Bruce will give him a chance to impress on the right wing.
CM: Conor Hourihane
Hasn’t really formed the kind of partnership with Lansbury that Bruce and all Villa fans were hoping for. Therefore, Bruce will likely keep the pair together until the end of the season in the hope that they improve their bond.
CM: Henri Lansbury
Along with Hourihane, he is one of Villa’s most creative players. Bruce will need both of them firing on all cylinders next season, so he will hope the two can imprve their partnership over the 4 remaining games.
LM: Jack Grealish
Like Green, he has also had barely any playing time as of late, but we reckon Bruce will start him on the left for this one.
ST: Scott Hogan
Due to injuries, he hasn’t really hit his stride at Villa. However, Bruce will start him in the hope that he gets his confidence up for next season.
ST: Jonathan Kodjia
Needs one more goal to become the first Villa player since Peter Withe (1980-81) to score 20 league goals in a season. Bruce will give him as much time possible to achieve this remarkable feat.