---
title: "Dean Smith explains why Trezeguet missed Man City clash"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2021/01/21/dean-smith-explains-why-trezeguet-missed-man-city-clash/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Crippy Cooke"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2021-01-21T15:30:00Z"
modified: "2021-01-21T15:30:00Z"
---

# Dean Smith explains why Trezeguet missed Man City clash

[Trezeguet](https://readastonvilla.com/2021/01/20/trezeguet-going-nowhere-despite-galatasaray-interest/) has finally recovered from his [serious head injury](https://readastonvilla.com/2021/01/14/trezeguet-explains-lengthy-injury-absence/), Covid and a hamstring problem, but he was absent from [Aston Villa’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City](https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2021/january/Manchester-City-2-0-Aston-Villa/) on Wednesday evening due to a lack of match fitness.

The 26-year-old was in line to make his first appearance for nearly two months, but Dean Smith instead named [Jack Grealish and Bertrand Traore on the flanks](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/spielbericht/index/spielbericht/3420829) and had Anwar El Ghazi on the bench.

Smith told [Birmingham Live](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-man-city-trezeguet-19668547) why Trezeguet was left out, explaining that “Trezeguet’s only trained one day so far since his hamstring \[injury\]”.

The Egyptian international has made 10 appearances in all competitions this season, but he hasn’t featured since November’s 2-1 defeat to West Ham. Trezeguet has now missed Villa’s last eight games across the board and may have to be patient for opportunities as he is without a goal in the Premier League this season and only managed one assist before his injury. \[[Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/trezeguet/leistungsdaten/spieler/234189)\]

In his absence, El Ghazi has scored [five goals](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/anwar-el-ghazi/leistungsdaten/spieler/183720) while Traore boasts [three goals and one assist](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/bertrand-traore/leistungsdaten/spieler/131996), so Smith will likely wish to preserve with that duo even with Trezeguet back in contention.

### READ ASTON VILLA VERDICT

Back in November, the Villa manager [called](https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2020/november/Smith-It-doesn-t-get-any-better/) Trezeguet “incredible” on account of his work rate, but it’s hard to see him starting the Egyptian international soon as things stand.

The 26-year-old will no doubt hope to at least make the bench against Newcastle United on Saturday as he sets about trying to forge his way back into Smith’s plans.