‘Jedinak has only played 162 minutes in a Villa shirt this season’
Sick Note
Against Ipswich, in what was only his second start of the season for Aston Villa, Mile Jedinak left the field of play clutching his arm after a collision with an Ipswich player. At that point most Villa supporters, MOMS included, thought it was the kind of knock you’d see the player back from in a game or two. After all, he had played on for a bit trying to shake it off.
The news that Socceroo captian will probably now miss the rest of the year, and maybe longer (up to 12 weeks) if he is operated on, is a huge disappointment.
“He has seen a specialist and we have been advised to leave it alone and see where it is in the next week to 10 days,” said Villa boss Steve Bruce to press today.
“We hope that he doesn’t need the operation and that it repairs itself.”
With his two starts and four substitute appearances, Jedinak has only played 162 minutes in a Villa shirt this season. He played more minutes for Australia in the last international break, managing to play the entirety of both World Cup play-off games against Honduras.
Even Gabby Agobonlahor has played more minutes than Jedinak for Villa and MOMS can’t even remember the last time he played this season.
Injury List
Jedinak joins top end wage earners like Jonathan Kodjia, Scott Hogan and John Terry on the sidelines and in a big season with such a key month of fixtures ahead, it’s frustrating for manager and supporters alike.
“We thought it would be an operation but he has obviously damaged the joint and we will have to wait and let nature take its course,” said Bruce on Jedinak’s injury.
“He should be back at Christmas but if it doesn’t go well and he needs an operation, then we are talking two to three months.”
Knowing Villa’s luck it will more than likely be the later.
Suddenly the six fixtures in December, including clashes against four promotion hopefuls in Leeds, Derby, Sheffield United and Middlesborough, look tougher.
Still, the Villa squad has stood firm so far and the January window comes at a perfect time for a patch-up job.
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