Dean Smith has joked how he’s told Jack Grealish he’s not a guaranteed starter for Aston Villa when he’s back fighting fit.
Dean Smith said: “He was close. He was running on the AlterG (anti-gravity treadmill) on Thursday and Friday. Hopefully, we can get him on the grass this week. I saw him before the game and he said to me if he gets on the grass he’s playing. But I said to him, ‘I’ve got to pick you first!’ which he also laughed at as well…”
With Grealish touch-and-go for Friday’s trip to Newcastle, just how is Villa’s squad shaping up? Against Wolves, Morgan Sanson and Bertrand Traore were taken off after picking up slight knocks while stand-in captain Tyrone Mings soldiered on after an apparent ankle injury after landing awkwardly in a duel with Fabio Silva.
BERTRAND TRAORE
INJURY: KNEE
Dean Smith said “Berto’s OK as well. I just decided not to take the risk knowing it was three games in such a short period. When I saw him I thought it was his hamstring at first but when I got the green light from the doctor I just thought to get him off as a precaution really.”
TYRONE MINGS
INJURY: ANKLE
Dean Smith said “Tyrone’s fine. He’s had some ice on it now but I got the green light from the medical staff so that’s why he continued.”
MORGAN SANSON
INJURY: ACHILLES/ANKLE
Dean Smith said “It was a normal football knock you get in a derby match. He’ll be fine and will be back training on Monday. I thought it was a really good performance from Morgan, especially first half. I thought he tired, which is what I expected because it was his first Premier League start. The intensity is a lot quicker than the French league. In training he’s been really good and deserved his starting place today. He’s showed what a good player he will be for us.”
ANWAR EL GHAZI
INJURY: INFECTED TOE
Dean Smith said “He’ll get some antibiotics into him and I’m sure he’ll be fine and train either Monday or Tuesday.”
The captain watched Villa’s goalless draw with Wolves from the Trinity Road Stand alongside Matty Cash as Villa claimed a point against their near-neighbours. As for Smith, he explained how he spoke to Grealish, 25, prior to kick-off against Wolves with the pair exchanging some light-hearted jibes.
