Aston Villa: Is Christopher Samba out injured long-term?

Aston Villa has thus far stayed mum on the availability of Christopher Samba. The veteran center back was taken off at half-time of Villa’s 1-1 away draw at Bristol City.

We all thought Steve Bruce made the tactical change to scrap the 3-5-2 by taking Chris Samba off at half time, and returning James Chester to center back. We were wrong.

Bruce was forced into a change at half time through injury. Samba injured his knee in the affair leaving to his substitution and a tactical switch.

To be completely honest, I am not sure which is more concerning: Bruce not recognizing his tactics were not working or the injury itself; one that leaves Aston Villa woefully short in the center back position.

This perhaps entails why Villa have not parted with Tommy Elphick as of yet. The ex-Bournemouth captain has made the eighteen just once – playing the full ninety minutes in Carabao Cup action. Sunderland were long interested in the central defender, but that deal seems to be off the table.

Both a loan move and a £1 million bid have been rejected by Villa owner Dr. Tony Xia and chief executive, Keith Wyness.

Given the penchant of Aston Villa keeping injuries rather quiet, it’s fair to deduce Samba is out injured for awhile. When all three center backs are fit, Bruce himself entirely tosses Elphick aside. Right or wrong, it is what it is. The problem, however, stems from John Terry and Samba being 36 and 33, respectively. Both are old, and both are extremely slow.

We saw this against Bristol. Villa played such a low-line that the fracture between defense and midfield entirely stagnated the attack. Should an injury ever occur to James Chester, serious questions will be asked whether Terry and Samba can partner each other alone.

Time will tell what’s wrong with Chris Samba, but if market activity is any indication: it could be for awhile.