Formation 4-4-2
Goalkeeper- Ben Foster
Although Ben Foster is injured at the moment, he has been a superb stopper in his time for West Brom. Aston Villa’s number one Brad Guzan would have been ahead of Foster in this side, last season, but not now, as the American keeper is on terrible form for Villa. Guzan has already cost Villa points this season.
Ben Foster is also a regular in England’s squad, which shows the high status of this Premier League goalkeeper.
Right-back – Alan Hutton
Alan Hutton just edged this position over West Brom’s full-back, Craig Dawson. Hutton isn’t in the first-team at the moment for Villa, but in my opinion, only time will tell before the Scottish right-back is recalled in the first eleven. Leandro Bacuna was also an option, but more often than not he seems to have a poor performance for Villa. Either he makes a defensive error, or he makes a lack of quality in his crosses, when Villa are on the attack. In fact, I was surprised when Hutton didn’t start ahead of Bacuna on Sunday against Leicester, because I thought Alan Hutton produced some quality performances for Scotland in the international duty.
Although Craig Dawson has been a frequent first-team player for West Brom, I have favoured Hutton because of his strength and also his determination when playing at right-back, and I feel that Sherwood will be making a big mistake if he continues to play Leandro Bacuna ahead of Hutton, at right-back.
Centre-backs – Jonny Evans, and Joleon Lescott
West Brom and Aston Villa do have some quality performers at centre-half, and with plenty of choices, I have gone for experience in this position. One point that clearly stood out to me, was that both have played for big clubs in the Premier League. Jonny Evans spent nine years at Manchester United, making 131 appearances. He has made played around 150 games in the Premier League. He is also a crucial player for his national side, Northern Ireland at the moment, as they are on the verge of qualifying for the European Championship.
Joleon Lescott also played for the Premier League giants in Manchester City, along with Wolves, Everton and also played for West Brom. There is no argument on whether this player has experience – he has made nearly 500 appearances in his career. Although he won’t expect the best of receptions from West Brom when they collide with Villa at the weekend, he will be expecting a warm entrance from Villa, for his first home game, as he was a big supporter of Aston Villa in his childhood. Both of these centre-backs are new signings for their clubs, but both stand out on paper and on the pitch.
Left-back – Jordan Amavi
The French defender could be a huge star in the making for the Villa, and has already made a big impression on the Villa fans. With pace and attacking threat down the left-hand side for the Villans, he can be a real hand full for the opposition. West Brom will need to be wary of Amavi on Saturday, and will need to make sure there right-back is on his game, or else he may be in for a tough game.
Right Midfielder – Chris Brunt
Chris Brunt has been at West Brom for some time now, and still continues with his strong performances, for the Baggies in midfield. Along with his new West Brom team-mate, Jonny Evans, he plays for Northern Ireland, and is also a big player in their national side. For club and country Brunt is an important player, and with his handy versatility in the team, there is no wonder the Baggies have kept him for eight years.
Centre-midfielders – James Morrison and Ashley Westwood
I have chosen these two midfielders in the combined XI, because they both can be instrumental to their team’s side, and I also feel both of these midfielders are extremely under-rated for their sides. Ashley Westwood is my type of midfielder, with his great passing ability and reading of the game, I truly believe that if he wasn’t so inconsistent at times, he could have the ability to become a huge player in Villa’s ranks.
James Morrison is a brilliant midfielder, he has a great strike on him, and also is a very creative player for the Baggies. This season he has already scored two goals in four games in the Premier league, and I expect West Brom to use him for as much as they can in the heart of their midfield, this campaign.
Left midfielder – Scott Sinclair
The way he has started this season will make Villa fans hope they have brought in a bargain from last season signing. Sinclair scored a hat-trick in the victory against Notts County in the league cup for Villa, and also a double in the 2-2 draw with Sunderland as well. With his sheer pace and also clinical finishing recently for Villa, Sinclair just couldn’t have been left out of this team, as he is one of the most dangerous attacking players in both West Brom and Aston Villa’s squad.
Centre-forwards – Saido Berahino and Salomon Rondon
At this moment in time, in my opinion, Aston Villa have not got a centre forward who has shown their capabilities of scoring goals yet, and I feel that it is one of Aston Villa’s main problems this season. For West Brom, after the whole Berahino transfer saga of does he stay or go – Tony Pulis has done a brilliant job of not just keeping the forward, but also getting him back on board at the Baggies.
There is no surprise Tottenham Hotspur came in for the player, after having a superb season, last season, when he banged in 14 goals. West Brom went through some tough spells of form last season, and there always seemed to be one way of getting out of them times, and that was Berahino. His high quality finishing and pace upfront, scared most defenders last season, and this lad could be a huge star in the making.
With Berahino staying, new signing, Salomon Rondon went a little bit under the radar, but I am positive he won’t do that in his spell at West Brom, and whether Berahino stayed or not in the summer, Rondon can definitely step up to the plate. The Venezuelan striker signed from Zenit Saint Petersburg, for the eye-catching £12-million fee. In his two season spell in Russia, he grabbed an impressive 20 goals in 36 games for them. I believe he can bring that scoring rate over to the Premier league for West Brom, and the thought of a Rondon and Berahino partnership, sounds like it could be a deadly partnership. With Berahino’s pace and Rondon’s strength, these two could be a real handful for defences this season.
