The Championship play-off final is edging closer as both Aston Villa and Derby County will be making final preparations for their showdown at Wembley on May 27.
Dean Smith will be pretty confident in naming the majority of his starting XI for that clash, but there will be a few players that will be giving him selection headaches.
One area Smith will be looking at is midfield. Jack Grealish and John McGinn are absolute certainties to start, but Conor Hourihane, who started Villa’s last match, is not.
The Republic of Ireland international will be battling with the more defensive-minded Whelan for that final spot as that decision could prove to be key in who walks away victorious on the day.
If Smith opts to go with Hourihane then he’ll be going for the more attacking option and a player that will push further up the field whenever he has the chance.
Added with that, he also specialises in set-piece situations, and as he proved against West Brom in the semi-finals, he can come up with a goal from anywhere and at any moment.
The other choice would be to go for the more defensive option in Whelan who would provide balance in the middle of the park and provide Grealish and McGinn with more freedom further up the field.
Added with that, when looking at the opposition, they possess a number of high-quality talents and putting that wall in Whelan in front of the back four would help nullify Derby’s threat.
