Villa boss Sherwood pondering the 3-5-2

There have been many questions about how Tim Sherwood will line up Aston Villa for the beginning of their 2015-16 campaign, but reports today shed some broad light on the subject.

Recent reports are saying that Sherwood will try to institute a 3-5-2 for next season, with new marquee signing Micah Richards having expressed his desire to play centrally with Villa.

Sherwood may try to utilize his apparent abundance of centrebacks, with names like Ciaran Clark, Jores Okore, Nathan Baker, Phillipe Senderos, and Micah Richards gracing his depth chart.

Outside back becomes an interesting issue - Leandro Bacuna could be handed an opportunity at right wing back, having exhibited attacking prowess last year. Many Villa fans have been calling for him to be given an opportunity in midfield or attack, and this would give him more of a license to create.

Left wing back is another area of question, but with reports surfacing about so many targets for Sherwood at the left back position, it seems likely that the starting left wing back may not yet be on this roster.

The two central midfielders, by conventional wisdom would likely be a pairing of Fabian Delph and Idrissa Gueye, both of which are box-to-box midfielders who could both protect the back line, and create.

Attacking midfielder could be manned by Jack Grealish, Carles Gil, or possibly Delph or Gueye, if Carlos Sanchez is inserted to man a more defensive role.

There are many candidates to fill the striker roles, but with the departure of Christian Benteke looming, there is a cloud of mystery surrounding the position. Many strikers have been linked to Villa, and the usual suspects of Gabby Agbonlahor and the mysterious Libor Kozak, finally returning from injury.

How do you think Sherwood should and will line up Villa for next season, and do you think the 3-5-2 would be a good idea? Let us know!