A place in the Premier League (and an awful lot of money) is what’s at stake when Villa take on Fulham in the play-off final on Saturday evening.
Bruce’s team, who finished 5 points behind Fulham in the league table, made it to the play-off finally courtesy of two defensive masterpieces against Middlesbrough. Fulham, on the other hand, came from behind against Derby to win 2-1 on aggregate.
If the Villa players want to be celebrating a return to the Premier League with their fans come 7 P.M. on Saturday evening, then they’re going to need to put in one last top-notch defensive display.
We don’t imagine that it will be a pretty performance from Bruce’s men, but if Villa manage to come out on top in the end, there’s not one person of a claret and blue persuasion who will care one bit.
Here’s our Villa predicted XI for Saturday’s winner takes all match:
GK: Sam Johnstone
One of the first names on the team sheet. He didn’t have an awful lot to do against Middlesbrough and Bruce will be hoping for much of the same on Saturday.
RB: Ahmed Elmohamady
Elmohamady has returned to training and if he is fully fit come Saturday, he will start.
CB: James Chester
Chester has played every minute of this season and he has been outstanding throughout. There’s no way he won’t be starting on Saturday.
CB: John Terry
Terry, along with Chester, is one of the best defenders at this level, so there’s no way he won’t be starting.
LB: Alan Hutton
Hutton was one of the stars of the show in the semi-final matches. He kept Traore quiet and Bruce will be hoping he puts in another stellar defensive display.
RM: Robert Snodgrass
Snodgrass will be the first to admit that he didn’t have the best two games against Middlesbrough, but there’s no way Bruce will even consider leaving him on the bench for such a big match.
CM: Mile Jedinak
Jedinak was a rock over two legs against Middlebrough. Bruce will start him on Saturday with the hope he can nullify Fulham’s tricky midfield.
CM: Conor Hourihane
Bruce will start him with the hope that his skillful set-piece deliveries will help send Villa back into the Premier League.
CM: Jack Grealish
Grealish is in the form of his life at the moment and whenever he is on the ball, the opposition defence starts to panick. Will definitely be starting on Saturday.
LM: Albert Adomah
Adomah, if truth be told, has gone off the boil recently, but he’s still the best option that Villa have available to play on the left wing. Would be a surprise to see him dropped.
ST: Lewis Grabban
Didn’t see much of the ball in the semi-final, but when he had it, he caused Middlesbrough problems. We expect him to lead the line again on Saturday.