Opinion: If Dean Smith makes proper use of this Steve Bruce signing, Aston Villa could achieve promotion

Dean Smith should make more use of Yannick Bolasie

Aston Villa have hired former Brentford manager Dean Smith as their new gaffer after sacking Steve Bruce. Chelsea legend John Terry has joined him as an assistant in order to guide the players in the right direction and make them perform better.

The Birmingham club have made a mediocre start to this season in the Championship after narrowly missing out on promotion in May. They are languishing at 15th place in the table, four points behind the playoff spots and 10 points off the top. Hence, it was no surprise that Bruce eventually he got the hook.

Dean Smith was doing a fantastic job with Brentford this season. The Bees are currently seventh in the table just a point behind the playoff spots. Furthermore, the style of play deployed by the manager there would certainly raise the hopes of the Villa fans.

Bruce got Yannick Bolasie from Everton on a season-long loan but didn’t give him a start. The player was used only from the bench whenever required. The 29-year-old is an experienced Premier League player and should be used more under the tutelage of Smith. Here’s why:

Bolasie is better than many players at Villa

The Congolese international arrived in the Premier League and performed very well for Crystal Palace. It led to him getting an offer from Everton to further enhance his prominence in the English top-flight.

However, due to long-term injury issues, the winger couldn’t capitalise on his big move. To regain match fitness and sharpness, he was loaned out to Aston Villa this summer but the former manager didn’t use him well enough.

Given the fact that the rest of the players aren’t performing well to really stake their claim for the starting spots, Smith can provide some regular game time to Bolasie. The 29-year-old is a quality player who is certain to improve this team on the pitch.

Verdict

Villa need a spark to reignite their season and their quest for promotion. Having got a new manager, they would hope for a change in the right direction. Giving Bolasie a regular go in the starting line-up should be the first step towards positivity.

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The Everton winger can add that missing spark to this team and turn them into promotion candidates.