Dean Smith looks at rotating Aston Villa squad
Dean Smith will consider ringing the changes when Villa head to Preston tomorrow.
The match at Deepdale is their third in seven days and boss Smith wants to ensure his players remain fresh as possible with the festive programme now at the midway point.
Winger Albert Adomah is pushing for a start after coming off the bench in the last two games, while Jonathan Kodjia could return in place of Anwar El Ghazi.
Like many other clubs, Villa make use of a cryotherapy chamber in order to speed up recovery between matches.
Smith quipped: “They’ll all have been through it after Swansea, though some of them won’t have wanted to! We have to make sure they recover well and get ready for the game on Saturday.”
Villa are set to be backed by a 5,600-strong travelling support and Smith added: “It will feel a bit like a home game for us.
“Every game in this league is tough. Holding out on Boxing Day to get the win will certainly give us confidence. We know we have a lot of threat going forward.”
Where Smith has limited options is in defence, though are likely to be boosted by the January recall of Tommy Elphick from Hull.
Boss Nigel Adkins has admitted there is a ‘strong possibility’ the centre-back will make his final appearance for Tigers at Leeds tomorrow.
Villa, meanwhile, will open the upper tier of the Trinity Road Stand for next month’s FA Cup tie with Swansea. It will be the fourth straight game it has been opened.
