Beren Cross
Nine changes from Leeds United’s trip to Cardiff City or three changes to the Premier League line-up against West Ham United. Pick whichever landscape you prefer.
This is a new shape too. Picking through those players who look out of form and need a rest versus those on an upward trajectory directs me towards a 3-4-3.
Cody Drameh continues to catch the eye as a solid operator whenever he takes to the field down that right flank for the Whites. I really want to see him playing more and more, even ahead of Rasmus Kristensen, who looked miles off it in Wales at the weekend.
READ MORE: Rodrigo and Rutter give Bamford what he needs on nostalgic Leeds United return to Villa Park
I also want to keep Luke Ayling in the mix, though, hence the 3-4-3 shape which utilises the vice-captain’s versatility as a marauding centre-back. While he can link up with Drameh as a wing-back, there is protection from a solid core.
Max Wober, who felt ready to do 45 minutes in Cardiff, would start and aim for an hour under me in Birmingham. The Austrian played well enough in midfield to partner Tyler Adams in this shape and give Marc Roca time to reset.
Like Drameh, Pascal Struijk may be a little limited in attack to play as a wing-back, but if he's at least solid it grants the front three licence to roam. Jack Harrison, decent from the bench versus West Ham, gets the nod after Crysencio Summerville’s injury.
Rodrigo would provide the link-up with midfield, dropping deeper before springing forward to join Wilfried Gnonto and Harrison in the final third.
Beren’s XI: Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Cooper; Drameh, Adams, Wober, Struijk; Harrison, Rodrigo, Gnonto.
Will Jackson
I guess the headline about my team is I’d be making nine changes from the side that struggled to a draw against Cardiff City last weekend. One of those is enforced, with Crysencio Summerville picking up a month-long injury, but the rest come as players failed to take their chances in the starting XI.
Illan Meslier returns to play in goal, of course, while I’d pick a back line of Luke Ayling, Robin Koch, Liam Cooper and Pascal Struijk. That’s harsh on Cody Drameh, who I thought played well against the Bluebirds, but I’d be keen to give the youngster some game time off the bench at Villa Park if the opportunity presented itself.
Struijk knows he has to perform, too, with Max Wober arriving to provide more competition on the left edge. This week I’d actually like to see Wober play in the midfield, if he’s considered fit and sharp enough to do so from the off.
I really liked the look of the Austrian when he came off the bench on Sunday, albeit against a young Championship side who were starting to sit very deep. He was confident on the ball, he put his body on the line and he gave Leeds something that they had been missing before then.
Leeds have lacked composure in possession on a number of occasions this season and that’s what Wober can hopefully add to the side in a midfield role. I’d have him alongside Marc Roca and Tyler Adams.
Wilfried Gnonto and Rodrigo are obvious options in the attacking line and I’d give the last spot to Jack Harrison, who did well when he stepped off the bench against West Ham last week. Brenden Aaronson looks short of confidence and, while it is a tough call, he could probably do with a rest, in my opinion.
Will’s XI: Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Cooper, Struijk; Roca, Adams, Wober; Gnonto, Rodrigo, Harrison.
READ NEXT:
What we learned watching Leeds United train - Junior Firpo skill, Max Wober, fitness clues
Jesse Marsch gives bullish response over Leeds United transfer plans amid Georginio Rutter links
D.C. United announce former Leeds United midfielder Mateusz Klich signing on two-year deal
'Poised' - Jesse Marsch sends Aston Villa warning ahead of Leeds United's Premier League clash
Leeds United confirm defender's exit with opportunities axed by international's January arrival
