Steve Bruce started Aston Villa striker Keinan Davis against Wolverhampton Wanderers, but admits that it was a mistake now.
Wolves beat Villa 2-0 at Molineux recently, when Davis was selected to lead the line.
And, looking back, Bruce claims that he should have rested Davis for that contest.
He said: “There are not many players at under-20 level who are playing week-in, week-out for a club of our size. Keinan will need a break.
“He needed to come out a few weeks ago, against Wolves he got nowhere near them because physically, probably, he had gone past that line.
“Sometimes with a young player you have to identify when they dip, leave them out, freshen them up and then they are ready to go.”
Davis was taken out of Villa’s team for their next two matches, following their defeat to Wolves, but he has been brought in more recently and impressed again.
The youngster has started in Villa’s last two matches against Preston North End and Sheffield Wednesday.
The claret and blues were actually beaten by Wednesday in their last match, before the international break, which has disrupted their momentum somewhat.
Villa had been in impressive form over recent months and climbed the Championship table, but the Owls caused an upset at Villa Park at the weekend.
Bruce’s side return to action after the international break, when they take on Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
