TONY PULIS intends to “freshen things up” with his team selection at Villa Park tomorrow, regardless of whether Daniel Ayala wins his appeal against a four-match suspension.

Middlesbrough travel to Aston Villa looking to get their play-off push back on track after taking just one point from their last three matches.

Pulis made two changes to his defence for Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat to Preston – recalling Aden Flint and George Friend – but with his side having misfired in attack two days ago, tomorrow’s changes are likely to come at the opposite end of the pitch.

Jordan Hugill could return in attack, with Marcus Tavernier and George Saville pushing for a starting spot in midfield.

Pulis said: “I’ll make a couple of changes, and I’ll freshen it up if we can. They need to give everything against a very good Villa side, and I’ll make a couple of changes to help with that if I can.”

Villa scuppered Boro’s promotion hopes last season when they beat them in the play-off semi-finals, and Dean Smith’s side go into tomorrow’s game in excellent form, having won their last three matches against Derby County, Birmingham City and Nottingham Forest.

Pulis said: “Villa are on a great run. They’ve got an exceptional squad when everyone is fit, and they’ve most of their key men back now.

“(Jack) Grealish would be a top player in the Premier League, and is obviously important for them. We need to be really well set up, and make sure we play the way we can play.”