Aston Villa manager Dean Smith has got his side right into the play-off mix, following a run of eight straight victories that has left his side in fifth place in the Championship with four matches of the season remaining.

This success has come at a cost though, with star midfielder John McGinn just two yellow cards away from a suspension that could impact on Villa's run-in and any involvement in the play-offs.

So should Smith be protecting McGinn with the 24-year-old potentially close to a suspension?

We discuss........

Toby Wilding

"Villa's first priority is to get into the play-offs, and in that sense the fixture list has been kind to them here.

"Two more wins should see Villa secure a play-off place, so having Bolton and Millwall before Leeds and Norwich is a big boost. They should be able to get past those first two with or without McGinn available.

"If there is anything still to be decided after that then they can afford one more booking for McGinn, so they don't have to completely take him out of the action just yet."

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Alfie Burns

“It’s a massive concern for Villa and in many ways Dean Smith is stuck between a rock and a hard place.

“He doesn’t want to risk McGinn, but can he also afford to pull him out and the midfielder maybe lose some of his form?

“That’d be another concern for me and Smith needs to think carefully about what he does.”

Louie Chandler

"This is a very tricky one for Smith.

"Seeing as a play-off spot looks like a near certainty now it could make sense to let him sit out for a bit.

"But then momentum can be so important heading into the play-offs and will Smith want to risk losing that?"