Aston Villa failed to beat West Brom during the regular season in the Championship.
Garry Thompson has stated that he would pick Albert Adomah over Andre Green when Aston Villa take on West Brom in the first leg of their play-off semi-final showdown on Saturday.
The BBC Sport pundit claimed that youngster Green has been ‘hit and miss’ lately, so he would go for the more experienced head of Adomah to start on the flanks.
Dean Smith made a number of changes to his starting XI when they played champions Norwich on the last day of the season as the big guns are expected to return for the Albion showdown.
Speaking to the BBC’s West Midlands Football Phone-In (07/05/2019), former Villa man Thompson named who he would start against the Baggies.
“Your goalkeeper [Steer] is going to stay the same,” Thompson told BBC Radio WM. “Your back four will be the same. Elmohamady definitely has to play. No place for Hutton. Tuanzebe would play with Mings and Taylor
“At home, I’d probably go for Hourihane [in midfield with Grealish and McGinn]. Adomah over Green. Green is a little hit and miss. He just seems to lack a little bit of confidence and drive at the minute. With Adomah, not much flair, but he will track up and down. And he has got the odd goal in him. Kodjia on the bench and El Ghazi will definitely play. And Abraham up front.”
The likes of Jack Grealish, John McGinn, Tyrone Mings, Tammy Abraham and Anwar El Ghazi all were rested for the last match of the season as Villa fell to a 2-1 defeat against Norwich.
Despite making so many changes to his starting XI, Smith’s side produced a respectable display and deserved a point in the game.
But now, their focus will be on the first-leg at Villa Park where the home team will be looking to gain that advantage going to the Hawthorns next Tuesday night.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
