OPINION
Jonathan Kodjia scored the vital goal that secured Aston Villa all three points against Millwall on Monday, and it seems like promotion is now within touching distance.
With a play-off semi-final against Championship rivals West Brom likely to be on the cards, Villa need to maintain their momentum for the last few games, starting with this Sunday’s crunch clash against Leeds United.
In order to have the best possible chance of beating the Whites, Dean Smith will have to make two changes to the side that won on Monday.
In goal, Jed Steer must start as normal.
The first change must come in the defence, with Mile Jedinak coming out of the team. The club’s Twitter account confirmed that centre-back Axel Tuanzebe is now available for selection after missing the Millwall win, so he must return to the line-up alongside Tyrone Mings.
Ahmed Elmohamady did not have his best game, but he must remain at right-back, as should Neil Taylor in his respective left-back role.
John McGinn and Glenn Whelan were excellent as usual, so they must keep their spots in the team, as should the brilliant Jack Grealish. However, mainstay Albert Adomah – who has made 37 appearances this season – should be axed for his woeful display on Monday. He barely got a touch all afternoon, and he did not make one bit of difference in the final third.
Up front, Kodjia did a sterling job of filling in for Tammy Abraham, so he must lead the line once again in his absence.
If Smith makes the right calls regarding his starting XI, then his team have every chance of blitzing past Leeds on Sunday.
