OPINION
Aston Villa manager Dean Smith would be wise to start youngster Andre Green in a formation switch against Brentford on Wednesday night.
The 20-year-old came off the bench to score the equalising goal in the team’s topsy-turvy 3-3 draw with Sheffield United last time out, and deserves to start after his decisive intervention.
That would precipitate a formation change from Smith, who should adopt a 4-3-3 for the Bees encounter. Captain James Chester should also come into the team, replacing Tommy Elphick. Those two changes would likely be enough to see off Brentford.
The Birmingham Mail reported on Tuesday that Chester is scheduled to return from injury on Wednesday, and it’s likely the skipper will come straight back into the starting line up.
Lovre Kalinic has made the goalkeeper position his own since arriving in January and there’s no reason for him not to start against the Bees. Likewise Alan Hutton, who is as close as it gets to a guaranteed starter at right back.
As mentioned, if Chester is back to full fitness then he must replace Elphick. The former Bournemouth man has done a decent job in recent weeks, but the captain is a class above. Pairing him with loan star Tyrone Mings is a recipe for success at the heart of the Villa defence. Neil Taylor should keep his place at left back.
In midfield, Mile Jedinak, Conor Hourihane and John McGinn are the right choices in a central midfield trio. The various attributes of each man would make for an exciting combination in the middle of the park.
Up front, meanwhile, an exciting blend of pace and power awaits. Tammy Abraham, Jonathan Kodjia and Green should all start the match in a lethal attacking unit.