Nuno Espirito Santo could well make a number of changes to his starting line-up for Wolves’ Premier League clash with Aston Villa on Sunday. Wolves played their 23rd match of the season on Thursday as a late strike from Raul Jimenez handed them a 1-0 victory over Slavan Bratislava in the Europa League, a result that has put them on the verge of the knockout stages of that competition.
The Molineux-based outfit have certainly managed their hectic schedule well of late as they have only lost one of their last 11 games across all competitions, although that sole defeat came against Villa in the Carabao Cup a couple of weeks ago.
Nuno made three changes to his line-up for the midweek European tie, but one man who is expected to return to the starting XI on Sunday is forward Diogo Jota, who was suspended for the Slovan clash.
Ryan Bennett came on as a late substitute in that match following a groin strain and could also return to the starting line-up against Villa, although Morgan Gibbs-White remains a doubt with a lingering back issue.
Villa have also proved hard to beat of late, as they have only lost to Manchester City and Liverpool across their last seven matches.
Dean Smith’s side have also won their last two meetings with Wolves, although they have not claimed all three points at Molineux since a brace from Robbie Keane helped them to a 3-2 win in 2012.
Villa’s main injury concern heading into the match surrounds captain Jack Grealish, who is rated 50-50 as he continues to struggle with the calf injury that has kept him out of his side’s last two games.
Frederic Guilbert should be available after shaking off a dead leg, although Jota will not be risked despite returning to training following hernia surgery.
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