Villa play host to Forest on Wednesday night in the Championship.
Aitor Karanka has been quoted by Nottingham Forest’s official website as saying that his side have received a “little boost” with Aston Villa duo Henri Lansbury and Albert Adomah expected to be sidelined.
BBC Sport have reported that speed machine winger Adomah – who worked under Karanka at Middlesbrough – and 28-year-old ex-Forest captain Lansbury both picked up injuries on Sunday afternoon in the second city derby.
The report states that Adomah suffered a twisted ankle in the 4-2 win over Birmingham City, with Yannick Bolasie replacing the Ghana international in the 65th minute.
Lansbury made his first appearance of the season, coming as a 69th minute substitute, but was replaced eight minutes later with a hamstring tweak. He is to be assessed, but Karanka reckons Villa without the duo is a “boost” for Forest.
“It is a little boost for us if they are missing, yes. Because they are both really good players,” Karanka said.
“I knew Albert from my time at Middlesbrough and I know how important a player he was for us. I know how important he is for Villa now, when you look at how he provided the cross for the first goal on Sunday.
“He is always a very good player but, again, if Albert and Lansbury do not play, they will still play with 11 very good players.”
Villa earned an excellent 4-2 win over the Blues thanks to goals from Jonathan Kodjia, Jack Grealish, Tammy Abraham and the excellent solo strike from Alan Hutton. Forest produced a very respectable 2-0 win away at Hull City.
In what will be a close match at Villa Park, Dean Smith will be hoping to make it five wins out of seven and push Villa closer to the top six, while a win for Karanka’s side could see them climb as high as third.
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