Crystal Palace: Patrick Vieira must axe Jordan Ayew | OneFootball

Crystal Palace will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run to eight games when they host Aston Villa in the Premier League over the weekend.

The Eagles were held to a 3-3 draw against Burnley last time out as Christian Benteke’s brace was cancelled out by a resolute performance from the home side.

However, with Palace returning to their own patch on Saturday, Patrick Vieira must be brave and make the bold decision to field an attacking line-up.

Against the Clarets, Vieira opted for the hard-working Jordan Ayew on the right-hand side of his attack in the knowledge that the 30-year-old would get back diligently to do his defensive work.

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The tactic worked a treat against reigning champions Manchester City a few weeks ago and it almost had the same effect at Turf Moor.

However, in order for the capital club to keep making progress and climbing the top-flight table, Vieira will need to be bold enough to drop the defensive forward in games where three points are there for the taking.

Villa may have stopped the rot with a victory in Steven Gerrard’s first game at the helm, but the Midlands outfit are still vulnerable, especially away from home.

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Therefore, Vieira would be wise to drop Ayew, who hasn’t scored a Premier League goal in over a year, in favour of a more clinical attacking option.

Summer signings Odsonne Edouard and Michael Olise have both made tremendous starts to their Palace careers, providing a combined six goal contributions in the opening weeks of the current campaign.

Ayew has received much criticism in recent weeks and months due to his extended drought in front of goal, including from Thierry Henry, and tomorrow’s clash could be the ideal time for the £32,500-per-week flop to take his place on the bench.

What’s more, even his international form is being criticised, with the Ghanaian’s displays being described as “worrying” by Dan Quaye.

Clearly, he has not been up to scratch this term, so Vieira must ask him to sit it out this weekend.