This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more… 

Aston Villa’s run of three games without defeat in the Premier League was halted by the reigning champions Manchester City on Saturday afternoon, but they can put things right this week by advancing in the Carabao Cup.

Dean Smith’s side host Wolves at Villa Park on Wednesday night knowing a victory would see them into the quarter-finals of the competition.

Last time out, the west Midlanders soared past a youthful Brighton & Hove Albion line up as the 48-year-old rung nine changes, which he has frequently done in the cup so far this season.

Based on that, Smith remains likely to rest several players in favour of those on the fringe of the squad – Keinan Davis, Ahmed Elmohamady, and Henri Lansbury should all surely feature if fit.

On the Chalkboard

However, the latter could be in the firing line come January if the latest reports surrounding the club is accurate.

The Daily Mail claim Villa are one of four Premier League clubs monitoring Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara, who was once on the books of Arsenal as a youngster.

Watch Aston Villa Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

The 24-year-old has proved to be instrumental in Steven Gerrard’s engine room across matches in both the Scottish top-flight and in the Europa League – the 14-cap Finland international has played 15 times this term.

Given that Villa added Marvelous Nakamba and Douglas Luiz to their midfield of John McGinn, Conor Hourihane, and captain Jack Grealish in the summer, it seems unlikely that he would come in to replace any of these players.

All have played their part in the season to date, featuring in at least six of their ten Premier League matches.

Aston Villa’s summer signings’ performances so far this season are rated in the video below…

Whereas Lansbury continues to be a bit-part member of the squad with persistent niggles restricting him to three appearances this campaign.

Adding a player that has been competing on the European stage would certainly be one way to supplement their ambitions to remain in the big time, more so than hanging onto one of Steve Bruce’s signings, who has been blighted by injuries – he even only played six games in their playoff-winning season.

Patience may be wearing thin over the 29-year-old.