My optimism after that poor Cup performance that both Kodjia and Lansbury would start the next League match was misplaced. Both instead succumbed to injury, so that situation, combined with the bizarre Jordan Lyden situation (he returned from being on loan and immediately got injured for the rest of the season) and various other injuries provides Dean Smith with a near bare cupboard from which to select a team, with the defence continuing to look way below its needed performance level.
Perhaps the biggest surprise is that Chester is a fair degree below form and indeed may still be carrying an injury. Left-back Taylor, having just returned from injury, looks uninspirational, and Bree is yet to impress at right-back. Whatever people say about Hutton, he is a great trier and I cannot but see any other option than to have him recalled to either full-back spot.
There is always the possibility of reinforcements arriving in this 'window', but if Hause is anything to go by, we should not expect an immediate uplift.
Two successive 0-3 defeats against Championship sides - and the next match being at Villa Park - seems to call for Dean Smith to show his managerial credentials and bring the fire back into the Villa team, despite the injury situation. Failure to do so could create a poisonous atmosphere amongst the Villa fans, and these days it doesn't take too much to generate that attitude.
One thing is certain in my mind, and that is that Jack Grealish's return (when that happens) will not by itself produce better results. The defensive system is the primary area for attention to my mind, but also needed is a general improvement in attitude amongst most of the players.
UTV
Perhaps the biggest surprise is that Chester is a fair degree below form and indeed may still be carrying an injury. Left-back Taylor, having just returned from injury, looks uninspirational, and Bree is yet to impress at right-back. Whatever people say about Hutton, he is a great trier and I cannot but see any other option than to have him recalled to either full-back spot.
There is always the possibility of reinforcements arriving in this 'window', but if Hause is anything to go by, we should not expect an immediate uplift.
Two successive 0-3 defeats against Championship sides - and the next match being at Villa Park - seems to call for Dean Smith to show his managerial credentials and bring the fire back into the Villa team, despite the injury situation. Failure to do so could create a poisonous atmosphere amongst the Villa fans, and these days it doesn't take too much to generate that attitude.
One thing is certain in my mind, and that is that Jack Grealish's return (when that happens) will not by itself produce better results. The defensive system is the primary area for attention to my mind, but also needed is a general improvement in attitude amongst most of the players.
UTV
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