The 27-year-old striker and former Reading midfielder will both miss Saturday’s clash with Bristol City along with left-back Joe Bennett.
Aston Villa striker Rudy Gestede will not be fit for Saturday’s match at Bristol City, manager Roberto Di Matteo has revealed at his pre-match press conference.
The 27-year-old forward lasted only 28 minutes into last Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Derby County before having to go off with a hamstring strain and has still not returned to training ahead of the trip to Ashton Gate.
Summer signing Aaron Tshibola, meanwhile, is suffering with a minor groin problem that forced him to sit out the Derby game, while left-back Joe Bennett has been dealing with a calf injury over recent days.
Both players will be unavailable for the weekend along with Gestede, but Di Matteo is largely optimistic that he will have all three back in full training after the coming international break.
“Obviously Rudy had to come off in the last game,” Di Matteo told reporters at his press conference. “He’s got a little hamstring strain and won’t be available for Saturday, but we hope after the international break he should be fine.
“It’s the same with Tshibola. He should be available after the international break, and probably Joe Bennett as well. They’re little injuries but nothing too big. Tshibola has a groin injury and Bennett has a calf injury.”
It remains to be seen who will replace Gestede in the starting line-up after Libor Kozak failed to impress following his introduction last weekend, but there should be a spot elsewhere in the side for new signing Mile Jedinak.
The 32-year-old Australian midfielder joined Villa from Crystal Palace before the Derby game last week, but complications with his visa meant he was unable to feature at the iPro Stadium.
His registration has now come through, though, and Di Matteo is eager to get the £4 million man into the starting XI after seeing him assert his influence on the training ground since his arrival.
“We knew a lot about him already which is exactly why we brought his qualities into this group,” Di Matteo said at his press conference. “He was a captain for many years at Palace and is captain of his national side.
“He is a vocal presence on the pitch and I think the younger players will benefit from having a player like that alongside them.”
Fellow new boy Ritchie De Laet, who arrived from Leicester City on Wednesday, is also in contention to make his debut against the Robins at right-back, meaning Leandro Bacuna could either drop to the bench or be moved into a more attacking role.
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