Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Sanson 'will be knocking on the door for a start' in Friday's Premier League clash with Arsenal, Ashley Preece says. 

The lowdown

Having had an injury-disrupted start to the season, Sanson, a £16million winter signing from Marseille, has yet to play a Premier League minute in 2021/22.

His only first-team action has come in the Carabao Cup against Chelsea.

Upon his arrival in the Midlands, Smith described him as 'a great technician' who 'has a bit of everything in his game'.

Sanson pockets £48,000 per week at Villa Park, ranking him in the club's top 10 earners (via Spotrac).

The latest

Addressing supporters in a Q&A for Birmingham Live, Preece said Sanson would be pushing for a place in the starting XI against the Gunners.

He wrote: "Sanson will be knocking on the door for a start now. Could we see it on Friday?"

Preece added that Smith has a 'decent' squad at his disposal but needs to find the 'right formula' to bring the best out of his players.

The verdict

Who could make way for Sanson if he does get a start? John McGinn, Douglas Luiz and Emiliano Buendia all started against Wolves.

From a statistical point of view, McGinn was his team's best performer, while Buendia had his 'first really good game' in a Villa shirt according to Football Insider pundit Noel Whelan.

Luiz would appear the most vulnerable, then, but any of the trio could feasibly make way given how the midfield interchanges under Smith.

In other news, fans praised this man's performance against Wolves.