Villa Injuries
As MOMS announced on Twitter on Tuesday, after being told by Villa CEO Keith Wyness, Jack Grealish and Albert Adomah will miss the weekend’s trip to Hillsborough, but judging by Steve Bruce’s pre-match press conference later in the week, they could be set to return for either the QPR or Sunderland games in March.
Axel Tuanzebe (hamstring) will miss the trip to Hillsborough, although Ahmed Elmohamady is back. Both Keinan Davis and Lewis Grabban are doubts too.
Robert Snodgrass is expected to play a part though, after recovering from illness.
Still, Villa’s injury woes are nothing compared to this weekend opponents Sheffield Wednesday’s injuries.
McCormack Limbo
After being granted a two-week break to catch-up with his family after his loan period in Australia for Melbourne City, Ross McCormack is back at Bodymoor Heath training.
However, he’s not training with the first team and his best chance of playing football this season looks to be another loan trip abroad. Although, whether he’s wanted or would up sticks again to play abroad (MLS, for example) and leave his young children, when he can stick around picking up his Villa wage of around £30,000-a-week, remains to be seen.
O’Hare Opening
If you scan your timeline on Twitter, you’ll no doubt come across at least one or two Villa fans pleading for Callum O’Hare to be included in the first team squad.
Bandwagon hype vs the reality of playing in the first team compared to the youth level, is something you have to guard against though.
O’Hare is good, but is he ready to consistently deliver at a crucial time of the season?
Bruce, perhaps understandably, has no doubt gone for experience and big team youth player loans over blooding homegrown youth this season.
No doubt O’Hare deserves to be in the squad due to injuries, but don’t expect him to fire Villa to automatic promotion.
Certainly, if Villa remain in the Championship next season, Villa’s focus will very much turn to players like O’Hare, so he’ll be a first team regular then, for sure.
Villa Fans Consultation Group Meeting
For all the details and updates on Villa Park plans and supporter issues, read the FCG meeting’s minutes here
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I’m usually reluctant to follow the trend of calling for youngsters to be played but O’Hare seems to be more than ready , given his performance with the U23’s but more importantly the rare occasions when he’s had a few moments with the 1st team