Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard goes into Saturday’s Premier League clash away at Brighton with big selection dilemmas at his disposal.
Having picked up just one point in their last three games, the claret & blue are in desperate need of a victory to boost morale and get the ship steering back onto the correct course.
It seems a lifetime a go since Gerrard first took the reins at Villa Park and his first game actually came against this weekend’s opponents.
A 2-0 win over the Seagulls back in November got the former Liverpool captain’s tenure off to the perfect start and the performances that followed brought with them waves of optimism.
But that has since faded. The new manager bounce has well and truly leveled out and recent performances have left a lot to be desired.
Big players haven’t been performing and goalscoring has been a problem.
Gerrard will have learned a lot about his new side during this rough patch and it would come as no surprise to see him ring the changes as a statement of intent as Villa go in search of three points on the south coast.
Here’s the line-up we think the manager could go with on Saturday afternoon.
1. GK - Emi Martinez
One man whose place is in no doubt.
2. RB - Matty Cash
If there was more depth at right-back, I think Cash may have seen a spell out of the team already. His form hasn’t been there this season but lack of competition sees him keep his place. A real statement would be potentially Ashley Young starting over him.
3. CB - Ezri Konsa
Konsa should get his place in the eleven back following the end of his suspension.
4. CB - Tyrone Mings
Had a turbulent season up to now but often does receive quite a bit of unfair criticism. The best option at CB.