Jack Grealish and Axel Tuanzebe missed Aston Villa’s 2-2 draw with Queens Park Rangers.
Aston Villa boss Dean Smith has confirmed that he does not expect to see key duo Axel Tuanzebe and Jack Grealish back in action this month.
Both players are currently sidelined with injuries and Smith confirmed after Villa’s 2-2 draw at home to QPR that Tuanzebe faces ‘eight to ten weeks’ out, whilst Grealish may return to action in February.
Playmaker Grealish has not featured for his side since their 2-2 draw away at West Brom in early December, while centre-back Tuanzebe has been missing since the home draw against Stoke.
Villa have only picked up three points in their last six Championship matches as they are falling further behind the promotion pack.
After the match, Smith confirmed the news that Villa fans were dreading as Grealish and Tuanzebe are set to miss more game time.
“Axel has had an operation, so he is going to be out for eight to ten weeks, I would have thought,” said Smith as posted by the club’s official Twitter account.
“Jack’s out of the boot and now he’s walking. I don’t expect to see him in January, but things have surprised me before.”
At this moment in time, Villa are five points behind sixth-placed Derby County in the table as their defensive problems continue.
The Midlands outfit have conceded seven goals in their last three home games and shipped 40 goals in total during this campaign – last season, they conceded 42 goals in 46 matches as they reached the play-off finals.
In Tuanzebe’s absence, James Bree played at the heart of the club’s defence, alongside James Chester, with Villa recalling Tommy Elphick from his loan spell at Hull in recent days.
Villa will now take a two-week break from league action as they welcome Championship counterparts Swansea City to the Midlands for an FA Cup clash at the weekend.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
