Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville believes Ghanaian midfielder Andre Ayew, who joined Swansea City in July, is not ‘inventive’ or ‘clever’ enough to play the second striker role usually handled by Gylfi Sigurdsson in the English Premier League.

Ayew, 25, was handed nod ahead of Sigurdson to partner striker Bafetimbi Gomis against Stoke City on Monday but they lost for the first time at home thanks to Bojan's 4th minute penalty and Sky Sports pundit Neville insists Ayew should be played wide against Aston Villa on Saturday since he looked awful playing as a second striker.

“Before the game against Stoke I was a bit bemused as to why the goals have dried up for Swansea,” Neville said.

“During the game, I could see why it’s become a struggle for them in front of goal. They didn’t have much creativity and I didn’t like Ayew in the number 10 role.

“He looked better earlier in the season coming in from wide areas.

“In the number 10 spot, he didn’t look inventive enough or clever enough to play in there. Stoke will think they played the perfect away performance and their clean sheet gave their star players the chance to win the game for them.”

Ayew will be facing his younger brother Jordan for the first in the Premier League on Saturday when Villa welcome Swansea to the Villa Park.

He joined Swansea as a free agent from Marseille in July and has scored four goals and provided one assist. He has been heavily linked to Liverpool after Jurgen Klopp took over but his current contract expires in 2019.