Glenn Whelan will be looking to take to the field for Aston Villa when they face Leeds United.
Aston Villa boss Dean Smith must drop midfielder Glenn Whelan for the crucial home clash against Leeds United this Sunday.
The 34-year-old started Villa’s 2-2 draw against Stoke City over the weekend as Smith opted to bring in the defensive-minded midfielder for the injured Jack Grealish.
Smith told the Yorkshire Evening Post that he expects Grealish to miss the game against the Championship table-toppers, as the Solihull-born player continues to nurse a shin injury.
That leaves the door open for Whelan to start in the middle of the park again and, if he does, Villa’s senior man will be torn apart against Marcelo Bielsa’s high-pressing Leeds United.
There is no doubt the Yorkshire club will target Whelan if he starts because he is the least mobile of all the Villa midfielders.
The upcoming encounter is expected to be a feisty one but, more importantly, it is one that will be played at a very high intensity which does not suit Whelan’s game.
During their recent draw against Stoke, Villa were sloppy in possession as Whelan, John McGinn and Conor Hourihane lost the midfield battle against Ryan Woods, Joe Allen and Sam Clucas – and falling short against Leeds will result in dropping all three points.
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