Coutinho starts: Agbonlahor predicts Aston Villa starting XI v Leeds as January signing misses out
Gabby Agbonlahor has tipped Aston Villa to name an unchanged starting XI against Leeds United on Wednesday night (9 February).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Aston Villa’s record Premier League goalscorer delivered his verdict after Steven Gerrard revealed early team news.
As quoted by club media on Tuesday (8 February), Gerrard revealed he will only be without Marvelous Nakamba, Bertrand Traore and Leon Bailey against Leeds.
Traore is travelling back from the Africa Cup of Nations, Bailey is back in full training but is not ready to return while Nakamba is a long-term absentee.
An unchanged starting XI against Leeds would see January signing Callum Chambers miss out on a debut but Lucas Digne and Philippe Coutinho would earn their third Aston Villa appearances.
“Gerrard knows his best team,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“When everybody’s fit it’s Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Ramsey, Luiz, McGinn, Buendia, Coutinho, Watkins.
“What’s good about it now is if players aren’t performing there are great options off the bench. Ings can come on. You’ve got Chukuwemeka, you’ve got Young, you’ve got Sanson. There is a lot of competition for places.
“Everybody is on their toes and everybody has to perform. The Everton game was a great three points but it was a very tight game. This game against Leeds is one where Gerrard will want his team to put a show on and show what he’s been coaching them.”
Aston Villa came out 1-0 winners the last time they faced Leeds in the Premier League thanks to an early Anwar El Ghazi goal.
Leeds won the reverse fixture at Elland Road 3-0 as Patrick Bamford bagged a hat-trick.
In other news, Alan Hutton has issued a ‘shock’ Callum Chambers verdict.