Kaine Kesler could be included in a Premier League squad for the first time this season during Aston Villa’s clash with Leicester City on Sunday, as reported by the Birmingham Mail.
While Villa have more quality in their roster than perhaps at any time since the early days of Martin O’Neill, they are somewhat lacking in the quantity department.
Manager Dean Smith has used just 21 different players in the league in 2020/21 – fewer than any other top-flight side.
Yet that tally will rise to 22 if Kesler, an 18-year-old defender, is handed a senior bow against Champions League-chasing Leicester at Villa Park.
According to the Birmingham Mail, the club’s U23 captain is likely to be included on the bench with first-choice right-back Matty Cash unavailable due to a hamstring injury.
We can only assume that this means veteran Egyptian Ahmed Elmohamady will make his first start since December’s goalless draw with Burnley.
How his 33-year-old limbs cope with the electrifying Harvey Barnes… well, let’s just say Aston Villa fans will be hiding behind the sofa every time Leicester’s Road Runner winger picks up possession.
Then again, maybe Smith will spring a surprise and go for the exuberance of Kesler over the experience of Elmohamady from the start.
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