Bree has opportunity to prove he’s better option than Hutton in Villa friendly

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Things are progressing nicely for Dean Smith at Aston Villa right now but the former Brentford manager still looks a little light on defensive depth.

That has led Smith to offer opportunities to his entire squad – even Micah Richards – in pursuit of greater options and he has now offered some fringe players an opportunity to impress.

Villa are planning a behind-closed-doors friendly to allow some of the players who are not away on international duty and have perhaps not had as much gametime as they would like at present a chance to get some minutes in their legs.

Henri Lansbury and James Bree are among the players who will be taking part and that offers the latter a real chance to impress Smith.

Alan Hutton has battled on to remain a fixture in the Villa side, but Bree has characteristics that could push him ahead of the Scot in the pecking order.

He is a towering presence, perhaps more of a pure defender than Hutton, but he also has more physical attributes as a younger option.

He has now got an opportunity to impress Smith up close; he must take it.