Aston Villa look like being the team to beat in the play-offs after a sparkling run of ten wins in a row.

The Villans have put in some superb displays under Dean Smith to propel themselves right into the hunt for promotion, and with the likes of Jack Grealish and Tammy Abraham spearheading their charge, they could well take some stopping.

Former Brentford manager Smith has really turned things around since moving to Villa Park, and they are a Premier League club in all but status it has to be said.

However, Smith does face some big decisions in the summer too, with some of his star players only being on loan with the club and some of his squad no doubt looking for clarification on their own future's after missing out on a lot of game time under Smith.

[ad_pod ]

One of those players Smith faces a decision over is former Barnsley defender James Bree, who has fallen out of favour with the Mildanders but has been enjoying a spell of regular football with Ipswich Town.

The 21-year-old has plenty of time to run on his deal, and the time really is now for him if he is going to make an impact at the club after moving from Oakwell back in 2017.

His short spell with Ipswich might well have done him the world of good, but is he going to be good enough to warrant a regular place in the Villa squad next season, let alone a spot in the starting XI?

There is little doubting his talent, and it seems a shame for the club to give up on a player so early in his career, but if Villa are indeed promoted, it's hard to see Bree being the man to lead them from right back in all honesty.

As with the likes of Tammy Abraham and Tyrone Mings, Smith has a decision to make, and while maybe not quite as important as the aforementioned duo, it is important for Villa and Bree to sort something out for the benefit of both the club and player before it's too late.