Troy Deeney’s Team of the Week: Martinez, Collins, Rice and Thiago

Matty Cash (Aston Villa): He was excellent. He has been excellent for a few weeks now but a massive outlet for Aston Villa. When they are dominant on the ball, he’s the outlet on the right-hand side and got a lovely little assist in there as well. He is the main outlet and he really jumps off the pitch when you are watching the games.

Malick Thiaw (Newcastle): From November onwards, he has been exceptional. He had a tough time in Italy but he is delivering consistently now. He scores a goal, which always helps for any defender in this team of the week. Solid performance, delivered, was more aggressive and I feel like he is starting to get his bearings now and feel like he is the man at Newcastle.

Nathan Collins (Brentford): Goal and an assist with the flick-on. I just think when they first signed him from Wolves, I didn’t get it. Now I do. Especially under Keith Andrews. He organises well, he moves the ball really strongly from the back. He is the leader of that team. Forget Jordan Henderson, he is the leader of that team. Obviously goals help at centre-back.

Ben Davies (Tottenham): I don’t think this is a name I ever thought I was going to put in but Ben Davies, fair play to him. He plays only his third game of the season, starts, they had Djed Spence on the bench as well – which shows the level of professionalism and maturity that he continues to deliver – and he gets a goal. It just shows to me that you don’t always have to be 37 and written off. He’s 32 and he’s already been written off, he’s got a World Cup to hopefully go to with Wales. He is always fit and available, which is what I really like.