Aston Villa manager Dean Smith had provided positive injury updates on both James Chester and Jack Grealish.
Chester missed the goalless draw with Reading at the weekend but Smith revealed that he chose to give the defender the game off to give him the rest needed to irradicate a knee issue that he’s been playing through.
He told BBC WM Sport:
He has been in and out of the training ground because his knee kept swelling. I felt it affected his performances a little. He needed to have a little bit of a break and he will come back in [to training] on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Grealish has been sidelined since Villa’s 2-2 draw at local rivals West Brom back in December but it looks like he is closing in on a return too.
Speaking about the midfielder, Smith said:
I think he’s had a scan today, so we will have an idea [about where he is at fitness wise]. He is running now. He has shown no signs of anything, so hopefully, we can get him back as soon as possible.
Villa have won just two games since the 23-year-old’s injury in December and they’ll be keen to get him back fit and firing as they look to earn a place in the playoffs before the end of the season.
