Mile Jedinak was an unused substitute for Aston Villa on Sunday.
New manager Roberto Di Matteo during the press conference
Aston Villa boss Roberto Di Matteo has told the club’s official website that midfielder Mile Jedinak missed out against Nottingham Forest due to an injury picked up on international duty.
Villa drew 2-2 with Forest on Sunday, as after Apostolos Vellios hit a stunning opener for the away side, Di Matteo’s men hit back through Ross McCormack and Rudy Gestede.
New manager Roberto Di Matteo poses after the press conference
However, Villa again conceded another late goal, as Henri Lansbury smashed home with the outside of his foot from inside the area to hand Forest a share of the spoils.
Many Villa fans felt that the defence needed more protection after going 2-1 up, especially after Di Matteo had taken off central midfielder Gary Gardner for striker Gestede to chase the game.
When Lansbury scored, Villa had Gestede, McCormack, Jordan Ayew, Jonathan Kodjia and Jack Grealish all on the pitch, when Ashley Westwood possibly needed more help in the middle of the park.
Crystal Palace’s Mile Jedinak at the end
And yet, Mile Jedinak remained on the bench. A signing from Crystal Palace last month, Australian international Jedinak was a proven Premier League midfielder with great leadership and tenacity, often protecting the Palace back four.
That’s exactly why Villa signed him, and yet he remained an unused substitute on Sunday, when Villa arguably needed him the most – and manager Di Matteo has now looked to clarify the situation.
Crystal Palace’s Mile Jedinak celebrates after the match
Di Matteo told the club’s official website that Jedinak picked up an injury whilst on international duty with Australia, and having only trained with Villa on Saturday, Di Matteo felt he wasn’t ready to feature at all, even as a substitute.
“Mile played with his national side in Australia last Thursday and got injured,” said Di Matteo. “He then travelled to Abu Dhabi with them – and only trained with us really on Saturday,” he added.
Do you think Jedinak should’ve been brought on against Forest?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
