Aston Villa will be looking to make it ten wins on the bounce when they host Millwall on Monday afternoon.
Dean Smith could potentially give Henri Lansbury his first league start of the season when Aston Villa host Millwall on Monday afternoon.
The games are coming thick and fast now which means Smith will have to use his squad in order to keep his players fresh for crucial games in these coming weeks.
It won’t be a surprise to see Smith make four changes for the visit of relegation-threatened Millwall, with Jonathan Kodjia, Andre Green, Lansbury and Conor Hourihane potentially coming into the starting XI.
Chelsea loanee Tammy Abraham went off injured during Villa’s 2-0 win at Bolton on Friday, so Kodjia coming into the fold would be the logical choice by Smith.
Added with that, Villa may need some freshness out wide and in the middle of the park with games against Leeds United and Norwich City coming up.
Given Whelan’s age, it is highly likely that Smith could drop him to the bench with his Republic of Ireland teammate Hourihane potentially replacing him in the starting XI.
As for Lansbury, he has hardly featured this season because of injury, but if Smith thinks he is ready then he could start his first game of the campaign.
But given the fact that teams have had only two days rest since their last match, a lot will depend on which players have recovered the quickest in order to play on Monday.
If Villa pick up three points, they will record their 10th win on the bounce and if other results go their way then a top-six finish might be sealed.
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