Aston Villa still seem unable to put together a consistent run that could get them challenging the promotion spots in the Championship this season, ahead of the clash with midlands rivals West Brom this weekend.

Villa manager Dean Smith needs his side to bounce back following the midweek defeat to Brentford and will need to decide whether to stick with players like Conor Hourihane who has looked below par in recent weeks.

So should Smith drop Hourihane after poor performances?

We discuss.....

Louie Chandler

"I think so.

"It seems as though he has perhaps let some of his attackers get away with a bit too much in recent weeks in terms of lacklustre performances.

"Showing them that they are not undroppable would not be a bad thing at all."

Gary Hutchinson

“It’s easy to say ‘drop this player’, but in real terms is it the right call?

“Hourihane has been subject of some stick in recent weeks, but under Bruce he always looked useful.

“I’d stick with him. It’s Glenn Whelan he needs to replace in the holding role.”

Jay Taylor

“He hasn’t been himself for much of this season which is a concern.

“But when you look at the options Villa have, who is going to come in and replace him?

“He has been poor, there is no getting around that, and a stay out the side could do him some good.

“But is it just him being poor, or is he being made a scapegoat for a bigger problem?”