The Villans are in the Championship’s playoff places following a five-match winning run.
Aston Villa midfielder Glenn Whelan has spoken about what is currently giving manager Dean Smith a “headache” as the Championship season enters its business end.
Although the Villans have had their ups and down this term, things at the minute are going pretty well to say the least, what with being in the middle of a five-match winning run in the league.
Villa are currently sixth in the table on 60 points with just seven games left to play and one thing that has been crucial in this run is how a number of players have returned to fitness and hit form at just the right time.
Whelan is one such player, having had limited game time earlier in the season but featuring more regularly in recent weeks, playing his part in the team’s resurgence.
In this week’s One on One feature on the Villa website, Whelan name-checked fellow midfielders John McGinn, Jack Grealish, Conor Hourihane, Mile Jedinak, Henri Lansbury and Birkir Bjarnason.
The 35-year-old outlined how fierce the competition is for middle places, how all those in the running for squad places need to be on their toes and on top form, and how all of this is providing much food for thought for Smith.
“It’s big competition,” said Whelan. “As well as myself, there’s the likes of John, Jack, Conor, Mile, Henri and Birkir. That’s really healthy competition where we are playing for places.
“We’re all trying to stay in to get the right results for the team. We know if we don’t perform to those top levels, there’s incredible talent on the bench who’ll be ready to come in. That keeps everyone on their toes and it’s a headache I’m sure the manager thrives on.”
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