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Dean Smith could select Aston Villa winger to start against Leeds United – opinion

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Albert Adomah is expected to return for Aston Villa in time to face Leeds United on Sunday, and Dean Smith could make the decision to start the 31-year-old for reasons of industry. Leeds are top of the Championship table after 22 games and find a lot of joy attacking down the right flank with Pablo Hernandez to create chances, so Smith might look to Adomah to provide defensive protection.

It would be a big call, however. Adomah has been out of action since Villa’s 4-2 win over Birmingham City on November 25 and may be short of fitness. Smith started Yannick Bolasie and Anwar El Ghazi on the flanks in last Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Stoke City, but Adomah may provide more industry than El Ghazi which could see him picked ahead of the Netherlands winger.

Adomah averages a tackle or interception every 26 minutes in the Championship this season and has created more than twice as many chances (17) than El Ghazi (8). One negative is his decision-making, however, with Adomah prone for relinquishing possession cheaply. Nevertheless, he could be useful in straight lines, helping Hutton defensively and keeping the width in attack.

Crippy Cooke’s previous article

Injury boost for Aston Villa, trio are ‘likely to be back’ for Leeds clash

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Sports journalist who is an avid football fan, enjoys debunking transfer rumours, loves to write pieces about players out in the cold and takes a large amount of pride getting a predicted XI 100% correct.