Former Premier League goalkeeper Paul Robinson believes that Aston Villa manager Dean Smith won’t risk using players like Anwar El Ghazi in the Carabao Cup final.
Smith’s men will come up against Manchester City in the final of the competition on Sunday at Wembley Stadium.
El Ghazi was forced off the pitch early on with a facial injury last Saturday against Southampton and Robinson feels other doubtful players won’t be risked.
As quoted on Football Insider, he said:
I think Dean Smith’s priorities will be slightly changing after the result at the weekend.
It’ll be a huge day out for Aston Villa and huge occasion in the cup final but I can almost guarantee Smith would swap a cup final for Premier League survival.
Any player, including El Ghazi, who’s carrying any kind of injury or key player he’d look to call on for the rest of the season, won’t be risked.
READ ASTON VILLA VERDICT
El Ghazi was criticised by many Villa fans for not battling on against the Saints during the 2-0 league defeat.
We agree with Robinson that Smith won’t want to risk any players that are feeling slightly injured. The manager himself admitted that he is going to make changes to his XI after the torrid display at the St Mary’s Stadium.
We believe that Trezeguet could come into the starting team in place of El Ghazi, especially after the Egyptian netted the winner in the semi-final to get Villa to Wembley.
The league is most certainly the priority in our eyes, but some silverware could be a nice bonus!
