Just an idea: Milner on the right and Whittingham on the left

I was under the impression that James Milner is a right winger who as far as I was aware is the first choice right winger for Aston Villa this season.

This raises a question, why play him out of position? This is what David O'Leary did against Liverpool and it was clear he wasn't as effective.

I'm a big fan of playing players in their preferred positions as they are probably more effective which raises another question, why hasn't David O'Leary recalled Peter Whittingham from Derby?

All reports tell us he is playing good football and surely he's going to want to make an impression if he is recalled so we know we're going to see some passion and fight.

It's vitally important that if we have these injuries to key positions and we have players that can come back and naturally play in these positions that they are used. Is it any coincidence that the only good season David O'Leary has had at Aston Villa Peter Whittingham was a regular?

With news that Bouma is likely to be back for Sunderland Barry should be able to move to his favoured left midfield position but surely recalling Whittingham would have been the best option for Aston Villa FC and all involved?

Email your views on this to marcus@astonvilla.biz.