Barry Bannan Recalled From Leeds, Could Play Against West Brom

Mornings aren't always good for Aston Villa fans. Some mornings, you wake up to the news that Gérard Houllier has been taken to hospital. Other mornings, you wake up to find terrifying photos on the blog. But this morning, this glorious sunny morning in which the birds are chirping, you wake up to discover Barry Bannan has been recalled from his loan spell at Leeds and could return to play against West Bromwich Albion.

Of course, like so much of this season, the timing of this loan recall seems mighty strange. Nigel Reo-Coker is healthy, Stiliyan Petrov has reclaimed the armband. Jean Makoun is ready and willing, Robert Pires always gets the first shot off the bench, and the Villa still need to figure out what to do about Michael Bradley. There's no reason to think Bannan would even make the bench, much less the starting lineup.

And there's the small matter of Baz never getting a start at Leeds. How much improvement could have been made to his play if he was left on the bench? So why now, Villans? Is it because the club are trying to force Reo-Coker's hand? (After all, Napoli want...no, I can't say that with a straight face). Is it because they need to give him a stage in order to sell him (please don't agree with this statement)? Or is it simply because Gary McAllister likes the kid?