---
title: "Predicted XI: Wolves (H)"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2021/03/06/aston-villa-douglas-luiz-ross-barkley-predicted-wolves/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Crippy Cooke"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2021-03-06T07:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-03-06T07:00:00Z"
---

# Predicted XI: Wolves (H)

Aston Villa welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to Villa Park on Saturday evening and Dean Smith may consider a couple of changes after Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United.

**Emiliano Martinez** won’t be one of them. He’s been consistent between the sticks and one of the best Premier League goalkeepers this season. **Ezri Konsa** and **Tyrone Mings** have been solid at centre-back, so their positions aren’t going to be under threat either.

**Ahmed Elmohamady** has put in more bad performances than good since he replaced the injured Matty Cash, but Smith isn’t likely to drop Kaine Hesler in the deep end. **Matt Targett** has shone at left-back, so much that he’s being tipped for an England call-up, so his place isn’t at threat.

Marvelous Nakamba underperformed in midfield against United and might be replaced by **Douglas Luiz** – a player with more composure in possession. He could start alongside **John McGinn**, as Smith has been reticent to start Morgan Sanson.

**Bertrand Traore** has had a hand in eight goals from 16 Premier League starts this season ([WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/24/Show/England-Aston-Villa)), so he’s too important to leave out with Jack Grealish still injured.

Villa struggled to create chances on Wednesday and resorted to whipping in as many crosses as possible, so **Ross Barkley** might be brought back in for Jacob Ramsey as he looked sharp when introduced from the bench.

**Anwar El Ghazi** didn’t fare badly against the Blades either, so he should start against Wolves. He’s more of a goal threat than Trezeguet.

**Ollie Watkins** is without a goal in his last four league games and Keinan Davis was finally given minutes from the bench in midweek, but the former should start on Saturday.

***Predicted XI v Wolves:*** *Martinez; Elmohamady, Konsa, Mings, Targett; Luiz, McGinn; Traore, Barkley, El Ghazi; Watkins*