Aston Villa play host to Birmingham City on Sunday afternoon at Villa Park.
Dean Smith has been rocked by a number of injury concerns ahead of Aston Villa’s second city derby against Birmingham City on Sunday afternoon, with four players doubtful.
Smith discussed the chances of captain James Chester, Birkir Bjarnason, Neil Taylor and John McGinn facing the Blues on Sunday, with all suffering from knocks and injuries.
It has since come out that Iceland international Bjarnason, who failed to play for Iceland during the international break, has undergone surgery to correct his groin injury. He will definitely miss Sunday’s clash.
Chester was withdrawn after 50 minutes of Wales’ first international break fixture against Denmark, with reports suggesting that Ryan Giggs chose to play him despite the defender carrying a knock prior to the UEFA Nations League match.
Smith confirmed that left-back Taylor had recovered from his injury after he was taken off at half-time against Derby, which saw him pull out of Wales squad. But doubts remain over Chester and McGinn.
The Birmingham Mail claimed earlier in the week that veteran Mile Jedinak is braced to feature at centre-back against Birmingham with doubts over Chester, and it could mean that Villa do not risk the former West Brom defender.
McGinn, though, played 90 minutes against Derby and he may be risked after starring under Smith and indeed Steve Bruce since his move south from Hibernian in the summer. With Bjarnason out, McGinn may have to play.
It should see Smith make only the one change, with Jedinak coming in for Chester. Yannick Bolasie is still working hard to start and is likely to be on the bench, but Bjarnason will be omitted from the squad.
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