Aston Villa will be without Wesley Moraes in Friday evening’s Premier League meeting with Manchester United, but the 24-year-old is nearing a return from injury. Wesley ruptured his cruciate ligament 12 months ago in Villa’s 2-1 win over Burnley and has been sidelined ever since.
The Brazilian international is on the recovery trail, however, and is expecting to play before the season comes to a close. He said on Villa’s official website: “I have to take it one step at a time because It’s a big injury. I have to see how I feel everyday in order to get back.
“I hope to come back and help my team-mates. I want to play, score some goals and be happy. (Dean Smith) says I have quality and that he trusts me. He says that when I come back I can do good and play.”
The 6ft 2in striker joined Villa from Club Brugge in the summer of 2019 and has gone on to make 22 appearances in all competitions, scoring six goals and supplying one assist.
Wesley admitted how difficult it was to be told the bad news of his injury after representing the Brazilian national team just weeks before, let alone scoring in the Burnley game.
He added: “When I got my injury, I was very sad. For 20 days, I cried every day because I know (how bad it was). I was having a good moment, I’d just had my first game for the national team, so I was very sad at that moment. Now I can see that I can do things again, so I’m very happy.”
Wesley’s eventual return will be timely for Smith. Ollie Watkins has played every minute of every Premier League game since joining Villa from Brentford over the summer and doesn’t have anyone who can realistically replace him in case of injury.
Keinan Davis is Watkins’ backup but has amassed only 41 minutes of league football this season, so Smith will be desperate to have Wesley available. It remains to be seen when, but he is making good progress.
