Aston Villa manager Dean Smith offered his thoughts on the injuries to Jack Grealish and Axel Tuanzebe.
Aston Villa fans on Twitter have expressed their disappointment that Jack Grealish and Axel Tuanzebe are set to be sidelined with injuries for the rest of this month.
As confirmed by Villa’s official website, Dean Smith stated that he doesn’t expect Grealish to be back until February, whilst Manchester United loanee Tuanzebe is set to miss two months of action.
The news is a body blow for Smith and the supporters because both players have been key figures in Villa trying to push up the table in their race for promotion.
Academy product Grealish hasn’t played for his side since their 2-2 draw at West Brom in early December, with centre-back Tuanzbe missing since the draw at home to Stoke City.
As expected, Villa supporters weren’t too happy with the news as Smith has had to make tactical tweaks to his starting Xi, particularly in the backline.
At first, right-back James Bree played at the heart of the club’s defence alongside James Chester, before the club confirmed that Tommy Elphick has returned early from his loan spell at Hull City to shore up the defence.
The Express & Star reported on New Year’s Day that Villa are closing in on the signing of Wolves defender Kortney Hause.
One supporter on Twitter stated that with Tuanzebe’s long-term injury, the potential deal for Huse is ‘very much necessary now’.
At this moment in time, Smith only has two recognised centre-backs at the club in Chester and Elphick, with midfielder Mile Jedinak playing in that role earlier on in the campaign as did Bree in recent weeks.
Here is a selection of Villa supporters offering their thoughts on Grealish and Tuanzebe’s injuries:
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