According to the Mirror, Jack Grealish is ‘back running’ but will still miss Aston Villa’s ‘next three games’ with a shin injury.
The midfielder has been out of action since December 7’s 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion, having been substituted late in the game for what appeared to be an innocuous injury. However, Grealish has gone on to miss seven games in all competitions and isn’t expected back until at least February.
It’s a big blow for Villa as the Midlands outfit have suffered in his absence, winning just one game during Grealish’s spell on the sidelines. Such form has hampered their hopes of promotion, as Dean Smith’s side currently sit 12th in the Championship and are five points adrift of the playoffs.
Conor Hourihane has been unable to step up in Grealish’s stead and goals have been hard to come by from anyone in the last six weeks. Villa have scored one or less goals in four of their last five games in all competitions, hitting blanks in their last two most notably.
Grealish’s return can’t come soon enough, but it may yet be a couple more weeks.
Crippy Cooke’s previous article
‘Awful’, ‘Shocking’ – some fans weren’t pleased with Aston Villa’s debutant
