Last time Aston Villa played Watford, they walked away from the game on the end of a 3-0 beating, so Dean Smith will be keen to turn things around.

As well as getting revenge for that heavy defeat, a victory against the Hornets would see Villa leapfrog them in the table, going two points ahead of their relegation rivals and getting out of the drop zone.

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Dean Smith may have some tough decisions to make ahead of the game, which will be especially difficult due to the importance attached to it.

FFC has predicted the lineup that he will go with, which includes two changes from the 1-1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion.

The manager will likely be keen to get an established backline for the club in an effort to improve their defensive record, as only Norwich City have exceeded their 44 Premier League goals conceded.

With that in mind, Pepe Reina, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings and Kortney Hause all keep their place in the team from the Brighton draw.

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Full-back and wing-back has not necessarily been the most settled position this season, with Matt Targett and Frederic Guilbert making 15 and 16 Premier League starts this term, but both players start against Watford, having also done so last time out.

The first change in the team is that Douglas Luiz partners Marvelous Nakamba in the midfield, rather than Danny Drinkwater lining up alongside the Zimbabwean. The Premier League winner only made one league appearance for Burnley, so may be in need of some rest after two starts, while Luiz’s superb assist for Jack Grealish’s goal against Brighton will certainly not have harmed his chances of starting.

Speaking of Grealish, there is no question that he will be starting, while Anwar El Ghazi also keeps his place, though the Dutchman is moved out to the wing, rather than playing as the central figure in the front three.

This opens up space for Indiana Vassilev to make his full Premier League debut. New signing Mbwana Samatta signed on Monday but was unfortunately not registered in time to feature and therefore, Villa will still have to make do with limited options in attack.

Trezeguet was underwhelming against Brighton in a central role, to the point where it made FFC suggest it could force action in the transfer window. Vassilev’s influence has grown in recent times, as he replaced the Egyptian in that game, having also come on against Leicester City and Fulham in the cups.

Starting him would be a big gamble but it indicates just how desperately Villa needed another striker before Samatta’s arrival.

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