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.
5. LB - Lucas Digne
Currently providing more crosses than anyone in the Premier League so can’t fault him for that. Nobody is getting there to stick them away, though. Photo: James Gill
6. CM - Morgan Sanson
If he doesn’t start on Saturday I don’t think he ever will. The midfield is in need of fresh ideas. | Getty Images
7. CM - Jacob Ramsey
Arguably the first name on the team-sheet at the minute. | Getty Images
8. CM - John McGinn
This was a toss up between either McGinn or Douglas Luiz. Neither have covered themselves in glory recently but feel Gerrard will be more inclined to start the Scot. | Getty Images