Smith told to axe Aston Villa ‘star’ and hand ‘scary’ Bailey first start against West Ham – Agbonlahor
Leon Bailey is “scary” and should replace Danny Ings in the Aston Villa starting XI, according to Gabby Agbonlahor
That is the view of Aston Villa’s record Premier League goalscorer and boyhood fan Gabby Agbonlahor, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the Jamaican.
Bailey is yet to start for his new club but was introduced at half-time during last week’s 3-1 loss to Arsenal.
It was just his fourth appearance for the Midlands giants after struggling with injury since his arrival from Bayer Leverkusen over the summer.
Dean Smith confirmed in his pre-West Ham press conference he will make a decision on whether he is fit enough to start after their final training session on Saturday.
“4-3-3 is the formation we need to play,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“It gets Bailey into the team as well. Bailey is probably our best player going forward. He’s the scariest attacking player we’ve got.
“It just makes sense. Bailey on the right, Anwar El Ghazi on the left and Ollie Watkins down the middle.
“Maybe Ings on the bench. That’s better for everyone.
“Now is the time for Dean Smith to show he’s a strong manager and drop one of your star players. Watkins and Ings are star players.
“Watkins is Dean Smith’s man, he was amazing last season. Ings has come in to be a starter and not sit on the bench.
“It’s a tough decision but if this was Thomas Tuchel he wouldn’t even bat an eyelid, he’d just drop one of them. I think that’s what Dean Smith has got to do.
“If you start Watkins and Ings is on the bench then Watkins knows if he’s not doing it then Ings is there to take his place.
“The formation needs to change. 4-3-3 is the Aston Villa way and with the players available it makes sense.”
In other news, Newcastle United have set their sights on signing an Aston Villa star in January and £15million will seal the deal.