---
title: "Predicted Villa XI: Derby (H)"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2017/02/23/predicted-villa-xi-derby-h/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Sheldon Muchmore"
section: "Aston Villa Match Previews"
published: "2017-02-23T12:53:36Z"
modified: "2017-02-23T12:53:36Z"
---

# Predicted Villa XI: Derby (H)

Aston Villa’s poor run continued with a 2-0 loss against league leaders Newcastle on Monday night. Villa contained the Magpies quite easily for the first 40 minutes, but on the 42 minute, Villa failed to deal with a cross swung in from a short corner, and after 15 seconds of ping pong, the ball fell at Gouffran’s feet and he poked home from 2 yards. The defending for the first goal was bad enough, but things got a lot worse in the 59th minute. Newcastle swung in another corner, Elphick allowed Lascelles to get across him and prod the ball towards goal, where Lansbury, who was guarding the post, proceeded to slice the ball off the woodwork, onto his heel and then into the back of the net. Villa had a decent opportunity to pull a goal back not long after, but Bjarnason shot straight at Darlow. Newcastle went on to comfortably close out the win and consigned Villa to their 5th defeat in a row.

Villa’s match this weekend is a home game against Derby on Saturday afternoon. The Rams are currently sitting in 11th place, 12 points above Villa. Villa really need something to boost their confidence and a win against a decent Derby side might be exactly what they need to get their season back up and running. We certainly hope so anyway.

Here’s our predicted XI to start against Derby on Saturday: