Going into the clash of the Championship’s two top goal-scorers, Aston Villa Head Coach Dean Smith’s injury situation was pretty much expected.
The main news was Albert Adomah was not expected to be involved against WBA, but Smith suggested he should be fit for the next game.
Meanwhile Henri Lansbury was “a week or two away” according to Smith.
Tammy Abraham who took a knock and was subbed off towards the end of the Middlesborough game is expected to be fine.
There was mixed news for midfielder Birkir Bjarnason, the Villa head coach confirmed the Icelandic international was now jogging, after his recent operation, so his rehabilitation was at least up and running.
Will he feature in Villa’s December fixtures? It seems unlikely, with early January looking to be a more realistic target, if you side a little on caution.
Mile Jedinak should be closer to be match fit. Despite being on the bench last week, as Smith indicated in his recent press conference, he was literally there as emergency cover in case Villa became short at the back.
Smith also confirmed this week that ex-Villa centre-back, James Collins, who has been training at Bodymoor Heath in recent months, hasn’t been offered a contract yet, as certain newspapers made out last week.
A Daily Mail journalist had suggested that Villa had offered him a five-week deal to cover the busy Christmas period.
Not true, as the player still needs to prove his match fitness, after struggling with injuries and fitness issues for months now.
So, Mile Jedinak, despite not being 100%, will continue to be the main back-up option to both James Chester and Axel Tuanzebe.
UTV
Listen to the new MOMS Podcast Episode:
