Aston Villa travel to Derby County this weekend, with Dean Smith looking to pick up his first points on the road since his appointment at Villa Park.

Smith has overseen four fixtures so far, winning twice at home, but losing away fixtures against Norwich City and Queens Park Rangers.

Frank Lampard’s Rams will hand Villa another stern test, but Smith has been boosted by some fitness news ahead of the trip across the Midlands.

Birkir Bjarnason is set to return to the fold after missing last weekend’s victory over Bolton Wanderers.

The 30-year-old midfielder picked up a groin injury in the defeat to QPR, which meant he had to sit out the triumph over Bolton.

Conor Hourihane stepped in to partner John McGinn in midfield, and it remains to be seen if Bjarnason’s return means the Irishman will drop out once again.

However, here at FLW, we take a look at TWO players who will find themselves down the pecking order now the Icelandic midfielder is fit again…

The Australian was a firm favourite under Steve Bruce, but he’s already down the pecking order under Smith.

Jedinak was an unused substitute against Bolton, but Bjarnason’s return could mean that he is forced to drop out of the matchday squad.

He might still be Villa’s best option in a holding midfield role according to some, but it is becoming increasingly unlikely that he will have a big role to play this season.

It seems that Lansbury’s days at Villa Park are numbered.

The former Nottingham Forest midfielder is rarely included in a matchday squad and hasn’t worked his way back into the picture since Smith took over from Bruce.

Bjarnason returning pushes Lansbury further out of the picture and ever closer to the exit door at Villa Park.

[ad_pod ]