Tom Heaton and Wesley ruled out for rest of season with knee injuries
Aston Villa have confirmed Tom Heaton and Wesley will miss the remainder of the season due to knee injuries.
Both players suffered significant knee ligament damage during the 2-1 win at Burnley on Wednesday.
Ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup third-round tie at Fulham, head coach Dean Smith said:
„The win came at a cost and the cost is two key players.
„Very disappointed for them. Tom’s a great character and a leader and he’s proven that in the dressing room already. I feel for him and his family because he’d have been nailed on to go to the Euros in the summer.
„We’ve had five games in 16 days and I think we’ve got another seven to come in January so we can’t go around feeling sorry for ourselves. We’ve got to deal with it and help the players in their recovery but also go and recruit wisely as well.“
Smith explained the injuries to Heaton and Wesley could alter Villa’s plans for the January transfer window, which opened on Wednesday.
It is understood they have already enquired about taking Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi on loan, while Smith says they could also try to sign a new goalkeeper with No 2 Jed Steer also sidelined with a calf injury and set to be out for at least another two months.
„We had business planned anyway and that will still continue,“ said Smith. „I’m sitting down tonight with (chief executive) Christian Purslow and (sporting director) Jesus (Garcia Pitarch) to see what this changes for us. It will probably hasten what we do in the market.“
Smith: Grealish going nowhere
While Villa will have to make do without their first-choice goalkeeper and striker for the rest of the campaign, Smith says they will be able to rely on captain Jack Grealish.
Despite Villa sitting just one point above the drop zone, the 24-year-old midfielder has impressed, scoring eight goals and creating six more in 21 games.
Grealish has been a Tottenham target in the past, while he is reported to be interesting Manchester United, but Smith says there is no way he will leave in January.
„I think he’s a big target for many teams and you can see why,“ he said. „He’s a top player but as I’ve said before, our owners are very ambitious and want to establish us as a top Premier League club.
„To do that you have to keep your best players, so we’ll be keeping hold of Jack Grealish. People can keep looking but they can’t touch.“
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