Injury Updates: Aston Villa vs Stoke City
By Clayton Nass
![BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 13: Jack Grealish of Aston Villa reacts during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers at Villa Park on March 13, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images,) BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 13: Jack Grealish of Aston Villa reacts during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers at Villa Park on March 13, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images,)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/b602adbbb679bdc6d4d2d742d23670876457eb95b41e54cc0672640649ae9dec.jpg)
When it rains it pours.
It had previously been widely reported, assumed, hoped etc. that Aston Villa star man Jack Grealish would be available for the 23 Feb match vs Stoke City, following his prolonged injury spell. However, Dean Smith will have to wait at least one more week before including “super Jack” on the team sheet.
Not surprisingly, the likes of Henri Lansbury, James Chester, and Axel Tuanzebe have already been ruled out for the match, as well. Tom Carroll is back in training, and Lovre Kalanic will need to pass concussion protocol in order to be deemed fit to play.
The boss provides an injury update ahead of this weekend's clash with Stoke City 🗣️
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) February 21, 2019
Press conference replay 👉 https://t.co/PpGE5mVq3q #PartOfThePride #AVFC pic.twitter.com/Bs9M3sQaXN
This means that Aston Villa will likely be without, arguably, any of their top 3 (some may even say 4) choices in midfield for the trip to Stoke-on-Trent. (John McGinn suspended for the next 2 matches after receiving his 10th yellow card of the campaign)
Fellow writer Josh Tonti describes what might be the only viable solution to the dearth of talent available to play in midfield.
The team could use some positivism and good news. Lets hope that comes in the form of three points this Saturday. UTV