Jack Grealish and Matty Cash remain short of full fitness; follow Aston Villa vs Wolves live on Sky Sports PL and Main Event from 5.00pm; kick-off 5.30pm; watch free highlights shortly after full time on Sky Sports website and app
Saturday 6 March 2021 13:23, UK
Team news, stats and prediction ahead of Aston Villa vs Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday (kick-off 5.30pm).
Aston Villa skipper Jack Grealish misses out for a fourth game due to a lower leg injury, with boss Dean Smith saying: "He's doing better, he's unlikely to play. He looks pain-free so once I sit down with the medical staff, we'll decide what he's doing today."
Matty Cash (hamstring) and Kortney Hause (foot) have been doing some running as their recoveries continue, and Wesley, out since January 2020 due to a knee injury, has been in full contact training.
Nuno Espirito Santo is likely to have the same squad as the defeat for Wolves at Manchester City, with Marcal, Raul Jimenez and Daniel Podence all still on the sidelines through injury.
Aston Villa vs Wolves is a game Sky Sports customers can watch in-game clips in the live match blog on the Sky Sports website and app. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.
Here we have two teams I'm having trust issues with.
Boy, how Aston Villa need their star man back for this one. Without Jack Grealish, their attacking process has faltered.
An inability to break down bottom of the pile Sheffield United, who had 10 men for over 30 minutes certainly poured fuel on the fire that Villa are bordering on being a one-man team. Falling behind in matches is proving a killer blow for Dean Smith's men. No team has taken fewer points from losing positions than Aston Villa (1) this season, pointing to a lack of creative flow in unpicking a defensive line and perhaps also a lack of belief within the camp.
Meanwhile, only Manchester United have won more from losing positions than Wolves (13), highlighting an aptitude for being able to cause danger once the restrictive shackles are lifted. Yet again in midweek they failed to turn up in a first half, registering no shots on goal before playing with more adventure after the break. That tactic of soaking it up and hitting with a counter-punch in the second half may actually work the charm in this one though as Villa look a frustrated side going forward.
I'm happy to play the half-time, full-time market with Draw/Wolves at 6/1 with Sky Bet the recommendation.
JONES KNOWS PREDICTS: 1-2
BETTING ANGLE: Draw/Wolves in half-time/full-time market (6/1 with Sky Bet)
In this week's Pitch to Post preview podcast Alice Piper is joined by Sky Sports News reporters Ben Ransom and James Cooper to look ahead to the Manchester derby. Can City end United's 21-game unbeaten away run to stretch their Premier League lead to 17 points?
We also hear from Rob Dorsett ahead of the Midlands derby between Aston Villa and Wolves, with both sides looking to return to winning ways.
And Michael Bridge gives us his verdict on Tottenham's recent resurgence, as they prepare to welcome Crystal Palace.
Listen to the Sky Sports Pitch to Post Podcast on: Spotify | Apple | Castbox