Aston Villa

Aston Villa expected XI v Bolton

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Dean Smith is expected to make two changes to his starting line-up ahead of Aston Villa’s clash against Bolton at Villa Park on Friday night.

Birkir Bjarnason picked up an injury in last week’s 1-0 defeat to QPR and could be replaced by Glenn Whelan in the line-up while Jonathan Kodjia is likely to find himself axed from the side and replaced by Yannick Bolasie.

Kodjia, who according to the Mirror earns £35,000-a-week at Villa, was ineffective out wide against QPR and Smith could decide to give Everton loanee Bolasie his first start for the club provided he is fully fit.

Orjan Nyland is expected to start in goals behind an unchanged back-four of Alan Hutton, Axel Tuanzebe, James Chester and Neil Taylor.

John McGinn is likely to be partnered by Whelan in the centre of the midfield if Bjarnason fails to recover from the knock that forced him off the pitch at Loftus Road last week.

Jack Grealish can be expected to start in the No 10 role with Ahmed Elmohamady on the right-wing and Bolasie on the left to replace Kodjia.

Tammy Abraham could get the nod to start up front as Aston Villa look to get back to winning ways after two defeats in a row.

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