Injuries and fitness will shape Villa lineup against Bournemouth

Tim Sherwood is going to have fewer choices to make against Bournemouth than he probably would have liked. In addition to injuries keeping out Jack Grealish, Carles Gil, Gabby Agbonlahor, and Jores Okore, Sherwood likely won't have new signings Rudy Gestede and Jordan Veretout to pick from.

The injured four were pretty much expected. Gil, Grealish, and Agbonlahor are all dealing with knocks picked up in preseason, though none of them are expected to be out for too long. Grealish, in fact, played in a preseason match since his injury, so we can expect him back soon. Okore is supposed to be back by September while dealing with strain on his knee.

But Veretout and Gestede have found the season coming just a bit too soon for them to have gelled with the team. There are no injury issues with either, it's simply a matter of not having had enough time to play with the team.

In light of the issues, I think we're looking at a 4-4-2 like we saw for most of preseason. Expect something like this: