Ramsey, Buendia, Sanson, Bailey - Aston Villa potential selection changes vs Wolves

A look at the options Steven Gerrard will have against Wolves off the back of Villa's defeat to Arsenal over the weekend

Ashley Preece Local Democracy Reporter

11:15, 21 Mar 2022Updated 11:15, 21 Mar 2022

The manner of Aston Villa's defeat to Arsenal over the weekend was a sobering one. Philippe Coutinho's 94th-minute free-kick was the only shot on Bernd Leno's goal with the 1-0 loss really frustrating Steven Gerrard.

The head coach fully expected his side to take it to the Gunners right from the word go knowing Mikel Arteta's men ran hard against Liverpool in the week. The 40,000 Villa fans that packed Villa Park out expected much, much more as well.

It's now a bit of a break for the group who've been given strict training programmes away from Bodymoor Heath. It's Wolves in 12 days' time now as Villa look to chase down their West Midlands rivals who are 10 points and one place above them in the Premier League table.

Ahead of the Molineux showdown, BirminghamLive assesses those who could well lose their places in the starting XI, and those who have just about done enough to keep their shirts.

The majority of the back four were decent value against Arsenal with Ashley Young improving after a sticky start up against the in-form Bukayo Saka. Emi Martinez produced a really strong save to stop Ezri Konsa from scoring an own-goal, while Matty Cash and Tyrone Mings didn't do a fat lot wrong. Konsa was also decent value on his return to the side in place of Calum Chambers. However, should he prove his fitness next week for France against South Africa (March 29), Lucas Digne could well return at left-back in place of Young. A lot will depend on Digne, though, knowing he's carrying a hamstring issue with perhaps Tottenham on April 9 a more realistic comeback game.

Elsewhere, Douglas Luiz probably did enough to keep his shirt for the Wolves fixture, likewise John McGinn, while Jacob Ramsey was poor on Saturday. The 20-year-old will link up with England's under-21s over the next 10 days which will give him the chance to refocus ahead of Villa's nine-game run-in. Morgan Sanson, you feel, could come in for Ramsey should a change in midfield be forthcoming.

As well as Young and Ramsey, those who could come out for Wolves include Emi Buendia and Ollie Watkins. The pair struggled on Saturday and the likes of Danny Ings, Leon Bailey and perhaps Bertrand Traore will be champing at the bit to be involved in the Black Country. Coutinho also endured a quiet showing but the Brazilian's form since his loan makes him undroppable knowing he can change games on his own.

Nailed-on starters vs Wolves: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Douglas Luiz, McGinn, Coutinho.

At risk of being dropped: Young, Ramsey, Buendia, Watkins.

Those who could come in: Digne, Sanson, Bailey, Ings.

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