Many Aston Villa fans are baffled by the continued use of Ashley Westwood.
Aston Villa were just seconds away from a vital victory against Barnsley on Tuesday evening, but a last-minute equaliser from Sam Winnall ensured it was heartbreak for Roberto Di Matteo’s men yet again.
Villa had led courtesy of a Jordan Ayew strike shortly after the hour-mark, yet it was not ultimately enough for a side whose struggles in the Premier League have followed them into the second tier.
The Villans were tipped by many to make an instant return to the top flight. However with 10 games played they are down in 17th place with just 10 points from a possible 30.
While the majority of Villa’s senior stars have simply not performed well enough, the one who receives the most criticism is midfielder Ashley Westwood, which made it all the more interesting when the 26-year-old was dropped for the first time this season.
The decision was greeted with mass excitement from Villa fans who cannot fathom why the player is picked time and again, so it was a cruel twist of fate when he came off the bench with 15 minutes remaining and ultimately watched as Barnsley equalised.
Had Westwood not been on the field, one wonders if some Villa fans would have still found a way to blame him, but in all seriousness it was a hammer blow for a player whose professionalism is never in question but whose contribution is regularly under the microscope.
Villa’s next match is against Preston North End and one wonders if Di Matteo will once again opt for Mile Jedinak and Aaron Tshibola in the centre, with Westwood sitting out the full 90 minutes.
It would do nothing to end the latter’s apparent curse, but perhaps taking him out of the firing line altogether is the best move for all concerned.
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