 |
| Rudi Gestede (left) is set to start for Aston Villa against Birmingham tonight |
TIM SHERWOOD says his Aston Villa side will look to up the tempo against Birmingham tonight by harnessing the talents of Rudi Gestede.
Gestede, 26, has started just two games for Villa this season since his summer transfer from Blackburn.
The forward's sole strike for the club was on his debut against Bournemouth last month, having scored 35 goals in 73 games for Championship side Rovers before moving up to the top flight.
He came on as a half-time substitute in Villa's 1-0 derby loss to West Brom last weekend.
And Sherwood has hinted that he may start the Benin ace for the League Cup visit of second-tier Birmingham tonight.
"We need to get the ball forward quicker," Sherwood told the Birmingham Mail.
"Rudy will help us do that. I don’t want to just smash it forward, it’s not the way I want to play.
"But there is a blend. We need to mix it up.
"Rudy is a one-in-two striker against Championship opposition. No-one likes playing against him.
"I’m not sure West Brom enjoyed playing against him last weekend. His progress is fine.
"There are not too many getting a run in the side at the moment.
"But there will come a time where you have to stick to what is the best. It’s my job to do that.
"Rudy’s attitude and desire and commitment to improve and show his quality in the Premier League is second to none."
Villa last played Birmingham in the League Cup on December 2010, when the Blues edged their rivals 2-1 at St Andrew's - Seb Larsson and Nikola Zigic netting for the home side.
Post a Comment Blogger Facebook Disqus