Aston Villa expected 4-3-3 v Barnsley: 28-year-old axed in two changes
COMMENT By Harvey Byrne
Steve Bruce could make two changes to his Aston Villa team when they face Barnsley at Villa Park on Tuesday evening.
The Midlands giants will be looking to end a dismal run of form which hasn’t seen them win a game since their Boxing Day victory over Burton.
Their last outing on Saturday brought a 1-0 defeat against Mick McCarthy’s Ipswich at home and many were highly critical of the five at the back formation.
The result and fan backlash is likely to see Bruce revert to a 4-3-3 formation and one player who could fall victim to it is January signing Birkir Bjarnason.
The 28-year-old was destroyed by fans after his performance against the Tractor Boys and he is likely to be axed in one of two changes with Tommy Elphick also falling out of the team with Leandro Bacuna and Albert Adomah coming in.
Goalkeeper Sam Johnstone is likely on one of his final chances for the club after joining on loan from Manchester United in January.
The 23-year-old has conceded a disappointing eight goals in his first four appearances for Villa and has generally been poor in his overall display.
He will have to be protected by a back four which is likely to be without fellow January signing and youngster James Bree who missed the weekend clash through a knee injury.
They will be playing behind a midfield three which is expected to consist of other winter additions in Henri Lansbury and Conor Hourihane alongside Bacuna.
The trio will be looking to supply an attacking three of Adomah, Scott Hogan and Jonathan Kodjia.
Aston Villa have struggled for goals since Hogan joined Kodjia upfront and Bruce could be tempted into playing the Ivory Coast international on the left like he has done five times already this campaign.
In other Aston Villa news, fans have called for this 42-year-old to take over from Bruce.
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