Refocused Henri Lansbury has chance to force his way into Aston Villa plans

Lansbury is among several players expected to be handed starts in tonight’s Carabao Cup third round tie at Brighton.

The 28-year-old played a major role in Villa’s second round win at Crewe, setting up four goals in last month's 6-1 rout.

He has since made substitute appearances in the Premier League at both Crystal Palace and Arsenal, only being denied a first top flight goal in the former match by a controversial refereeing decision.

Lansbury has endured a largely frustrating time with injury since joining Villa from Nottingham Forest in a £3million move in January, 2017. He was limited to just five appearances in the whole of last season.

But Smith believes he has returned this year with renewed focus. The boss said: “Henri is a really good player. The problem is he has been hampered by injuries.

“I told him he needed to go and look after himself in the summer and come back fighting fit and he has certainly done that.

“He has come back, got his body right, his head right and is in a really good place at the moment.”

Villa’s squad was subject to a huge summer overhaul but Smith claims Lansbury always remained part of his plans.

“I saw enough of him when I first came into the building to see he was my type of player,” he said.

“He makes great runs into the opposition penalty box and that will come from playing as a No.10 at Nottingham Forest. He is a popular lad in the dressing room as well.”