Aston Villa travel to face Arsenal on Wednesday and Read Aston Villa believe that Danny Ings may be dropped after struggling against West Ham United, so that could open the door for Leon Bailey to start.
Villa travel to the Emirates to face a side boasting maximum points after four Premier League games and a side that pack the midfield, so Steven Gerrard would be foolish to play two strikers against them.
Ings offers less than Ollie Watkins as a centre-forward, so it makes sense to drop him in place of a wide-man, thus changing the system from a 4-1-2-1-2 to a 4-3-3. It would also mean there’s a winger who could pin back the deadly Buyako Saka.
Bailey has made five appearances in all competitions this season, scoring one goal with one assist while putting in some good performances out wide. The 25-year-old has not been prolific but has shown promise when called upon, so he might deserve a chance to prove his worth.
Villa will need players who can counter-attack with speed as Arsenal will dominate possession. Bailey is that man. He’s comfortable taking on his opposite number and can produce a piece of individual brilliance to make something out of nothing.
In other news, here’s why Steven Gerrard is unlikely to drop John McGinn against Arsenal
