Aston Villa: Injuries mount ahead of Sheffield Wednesday clash
By Josh Tonti
Aston Villa could be without upwards of 6-7 players against Sheffield Wednesday.
To think, we were so close to having an extended period of a clean bill of health. I mean, so close. All of January and the first two weeks of February felt like a relief every hour before kickoff: Steve Bruce calling in a healthy, first eleven, each match.
But as they say, when it rains, it pours. Aston Villa are still without its key attacking lynchpins Jack Grealish and Albert Adomah. They are getting closer, but soft tissue injuries are a finicky issue. The official Villa account had this to say:
💬 Steve Bruce says Jack Grealish and Albert Adomah are big doubts for #SHWAVL but could be in contention for our clash against @QPRFC next weekend#PartOfThePride #AVFC pic.twitter.com/3fPchbmHAV
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) February 23, 2018
So, they are getting closer. If not Queens Park Rangers next weekend, probably Sunderland at midweek. But it continues…
💬 @Grabbs22 will be assessed today due to a groin issue - but manager Steve Bruce is hopeful of having the striker available this weekend
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) February 23, 2018
However, fellow January recruit Axel Tuanzebe is out of #SHWAVL with a calf injury #PartOfThePride #AVFC pic.twitter.com/UVHzm9V5nR
Oh man. For Axel Tuanzebe to be definitively ruled out this early means the issue is certainly troublesome. He might be out for a few weeks, which means Ahmed Elmohamady has to prove he’s close to 100% (not a given, after picking-up a knock against Fulham). Lewis Grabban was a certain starter for Saturday, but he might have to settle for a place on the bench.
But wait, there is more!
💬 @KeinanD100 will be checked out today after injuring his ankle in the closing stages of our clash with @PNEFC
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) February 23, 2018
Steve Bruce is hopeful the issue is not too serious#PartOfThePride #AVFC pic.twitter.com/BUi84gL4zf
Remember Keinan Davis limping in injury time? Yeah, he is being assessed before Sheffield Wednesday too. In addition to long-term absentees Jonathan Kodjia and Jed Steer, these seven individuals represent a massive contribution to the club this season. On the bright side, Robert Snodgrass looks good to go after recovering from an illness.
In addition, Steve Bruce confirmed, Callum O’Hare will be in the squad. He might not be the only youngster involved with room for maybe one other Academy product on the Villa bench.
Next: Aston Vills vs. Wednesday: Expected Starting XI
Christopher Samba will be recalled as the reserve center back, while Neil Taylor could get the call too, if Alan Hutton is switched over to the right flank. Saturday’s match is shaping up to be a fierce contest at Hillsborough.
Villa catch a small break, however, as Sheffield Wednesday are dealing with their own injury crisis. The Owls couldn’t name a recognized striker midweek versus Millwall. Ouch.