Aston Villa: Monday musings during Villa vacation
By Josh Tonti
Aston Villa Football Club earned a much-deserved, belated Holiday break. The claret and blue do not play again until Tuesday, January 30th, away to Sheffield United.
1. Steve Bruce is giving the players and staff some time off.
Perhaps the early FA Cup exit was a blessing in disguise. Instead of competing next weekend, Villa is off until mid-week action on Tuesday. Perfect timing, too, as seemingly everyone has been battling the flu for weeks now. Glenn Whelan missed out on two matches through illness, while James Chester played the full ninety vs. Barnsley sick.
As such, Steve Bruce is giving everyone a mini-vacation:
"“I’m giving everybody three or four days off,” the manager told us after Saturday’s win. “James Chester played today with the flu really and he looked like it towards the end. All my staff have been sick, my doctor’s had it, my second in command has had it, the staff have had it, they’ve all had it! It’s the ideal time to give everyone three or four days off in preparation for Sheffield United. I hope my phone won’t be ringing too much.”"
2. Mile Jedinak battling further fitness issues.
It has been an incredibly difficult 12 months for Aston Villa midfielder-sometimes-center back Mile Jedinak. The countless muscle injuries are hampering a critical player in his drive for promotion at his club, and World Cup success with his country.
With six months’ time until the opening kickoff in Russia, Mile Jedinak is dealing with a thigh injury – one that has limited his training to two sessions the past 18 days.
That is, uh, certainly not good. Birkir Bjarnason’s revelation in defensive midfield limits Villa’s immediate need for the Socceroos skipper. Still, the club is at full strength when a fit, healthy Jedinak features in the match-day 18. Bruce would be wise to let the player work his way back into training before throwing him into a game.
3. Jed Steer to undergo shoulder surgery.
For the second consecutive season, current Aston Villa deputy ‘keeper Jed Steer’s season will end via surgeon’s incision. Steer dislocated his right shoulder in FA Cup defeat to Peterborough United, damaging ligaments in the process.
Next: Villa intrigued with United 'keeper Dean Henderson
In 4 limited Cup appearances this term, the 25-year old has impressed between the sticks. That’s par for his Villa career thus far. He’s impressed when called upon, however limited that is, since arriving from Norwich City in July 2013. Steer’s contract runs out in 2019, but two serious injuries (achilles last year, shoulder this year), cast doubt on his ability to operate as a trusted number two, not to mention competitor for starting goalkeeper.
Villa could be in the market for not only Sam Johnstone, but also another goalkeeper in the summer should Jed Steer find his first-team chances limited moving forward. #3 Mark Bunn moves to the bench for the remainder of the season with 20-year old Matija Sarkic in reserve. Bunn’s contract runs out in the summer.