Aston Villa vs Norwich
England – Premier League
Date: Thursday, 26 December 2019
Kick-off at 15:00 UK/ 16:00 CET
Venue: Villa Park (Birmingham).
Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn out for around three months ahead after a broken ankle.
On a positive note, Dean Smith expects defender Tyrone Mings to potentially be in contention for the trip to Watford on Saturday.
The England international, who has been out since Dec. 8 after straining a hamstring in the 4-1 home defeat to Leicester, close to the back, although the Boxing Day game at home to Norwich coming too fast.
Keinan Striker Davis, who has been out for almost two months with a hamstring problem itself, is in the same situation as Mings and can be available for the clash Hornets.
Norwich have no fresh injury reported by Teemu Pukki fit despite breaking leg against Leicester.
Josip Drmić Ben Godfrey (knee) and Timm Klose (knee) are long-term absences.
Lineups
Aston Villa Heaton; Guilbert, Engels, Konsa, Targett; Douglas Luiz, Nakamba, Hourihane; Trezeguet, Wes ley, Grealish.
Norwich Krul; Aarons, Zimmerman, Hanley, Byram; Vrančić, Trybull; Cantwell, Buendia, Hernandez; Pukki.
Head to Head
Historically, Aston Villa have had the better of this fixture, winning 33 games for Norwich 22, with 16 others ended in a draw.
Already back and forth between the two teams recently, however, with both sides winning three of the last six meetings.
Villa degrading Norwich at Carrow Road earlier this season, recording a 5-1 victory. The last game at Villa Park ended with a 2-1 win for the Canaries and cause them to secure the Championship title.
PREDICTION
This is an authentic relegation six-pointer at Villa Park and one that neither side can afford to lose. Both suffered defeat at the weekend but Villa can at least take heart from the fact they won the previous match 1-5 at Carrow Road. They can complete a double at Villa Park on Boxing Day.