Aston Villa will struggle to make the play-offs because of their defence.

That is the thought of former player, Stephen Warnock, who spoke to spoke to BBC 5 Live daily, reported via the Birmingham Mail, regarding his old club’s current fortunes.

Villa are nine points off the play-offs and sit tenth in the Championship, amid a run of four games without a win.

Dean Smith’s side have two wins in their last ten games – a run of form that has severely dented their hopes of making it to the top six.

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Warnock feels that the Villa defence is letting the team down and has questioned the acquisition of Croatian goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic.

Villa have the third worst defence in the division, with only Rotherham United and Ipswich Town conceding more.

For teams in the top ten, they have the worst goal difference, too, which compounds their woes even further, with a place in the top-six ebbing further away with every point they drop.

But does Warnock have a point?

We asked our team of FLW writers their thoughts on the comments from Warnock.

Here’s what they had to say...

Jay Taylor

“Their goals against column says it all – conceded the most goals for a team outside the bottom three.

“If Villa want to reach the play-offs then they will need a defensive miracle in order to do so.

“Moves have been made to sure up the leaky backline but so far not much has been able to help them.

“I think he has a point and that Villa will ultimately miss out on the top six.”

George Harbey

“He’s spot on.

“Villa have tried many different defensive partnerships this season, but they just can’t help but concede goals.

“I think Tyrone Mings needs to start week in week out, but Villa need a leader in their backline.”

Jacob Potter

“I don't think it's the only problem.

“Villa have problems all over the pitch at this moment in time, and Dean Smith needs to address this as quickly as possible.

“The defence is a problem though, and that should be the first thing that the Villa boss looks at.”