Steve Bruce has a pretty settled side and that is bad news for this Aston Villa trio.
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce appears to have a firm idea of what his strongest starting lineup is.
Six Villa players have started at least 14 of their 16 Championship games this season, and this consistency has helped the sleeping West Midlands giant climb into the playoff spots after a slow start to the campaign.
But there are at least three members of his squad whom Bruce could make more use of…
Scott Hogan
The 25-year-old striker has struggled in the impact substitute role that he has been reduced to for much of the year, but has shown that he still knows where the net is with three goals in three Carabao Cup starts this term.
Bruce has Jonathan Kodjia to return from injury and Keinan Davis making a name for himself, but giving Hogan a run in the side to help him rediscover his Brentford form could present Villa with another attacking weapon.
Josh Onomah
The Tottenham Hotspur loanee has been in and out of the Villa team this season, starting half of their Championship games but also having to be content with periods on the bench despite a string of impressive displays.
The 20-year-old should be one of the first names on the teamsheet every week. He provides the Villans with a crucial link between midfield and attack and has stood out for his energy and skill in every performance.
Christopher Samba
Samba is a formidable centre-back with bags of experience, but he has been unable to dislodge John Terry or James Chester from the Villa defence so far this season, making only one start and one substitute appearance.
Terry’s foot injury, which looks poised to sideline him for three months according to The Sun, should now give Samba the chance he has been waiting for. The 33-year-old must be on big wages, so either use him or get rid.
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