We've got good news and likely bad news on the injury front for Monday's match against Arsenal. Let's start with the good, why don't we? Paul Lambert has confirmed that both Gabby Agbonlahor and Brad Guzan will be ready for the match, which means that at least in the attack, midfield, and in goal, Aston Villa should be at full strength.
But there's that pesky defense. Ron Vlaar and Nathan Baker are still not 100%, and a decision hasn't been made as to whether or not they'll play on Monday. Vlaar returned for 70 minutes against Sunderland after missing everything since the Southampton match with a calf injury. The captain didn't play in last week's FA Cup match either. This may be a matter of just giving him extra time, but Aston Villa have yet to win a match this season in which Vlaar didn't start. I'm not usually one to mix up causation and correlation, but their may actually be a causal link to Vlaar missing and Villa being terrible.
Baker was taken out of the lineup minutes before the aforementioned FA Cup match, with some sort of a muscle injury. He may be ready for Monday, but like Vlaar seems to be a decision that is being withheld.
So with the latest news, what sort of lineup do you think Aston Villa will throw out. Here's my best guess:
I could see that perhaps being a bit more 4-3-3 in shape, though. What do you think?