---
title: "Dean Smith reveals ‘good news’ on Wesley’s progress"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2021/03/03/dean-smith-aston-villa-wesley-moraes/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Crippy Cooke"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2021-03-03T12:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-03-03T12:00:00Z"
---

# Dean Smith reveals ‘good news’ on Wesley’s progress

Aston Villa travel to Brammall Lane to face relegation-threated Sheffield United on Wednesday and are still without Wesley Moraes as he’s recovering from a long-term knee injury, but Dean Smith revealed “good news” on his progress.

The Villa boss said in Tuesday’s pre-match [press conference](https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2021/march/The-Presser-Smith-previews-Sheff-Utd-clash/): “Wesley was in full contact training, so it’s good news on the more long-term injuries.” The 24-year-old has made 22 appearances in all competitions since joining Villa from Club Brugge in 2019, scoring six goals and supplying one assist ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/wesley/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/381362/verein/405)).

Wesley has been [sidelined since January 2020](https://readastonvilla.com/2020/01/01/aston-villa-fans-react-as-wesley-comes-off-injured-against-burnley/) after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in a 2-1 win over Burnley, but he’s expected to return in March and could play a handful of games for Villa before the season comes to a close.

Smith will be delighted to have another attacking option at his disposal as Villa have been heavily reliant on Ollie Watkins. The 25-year-old has played every minute of every Premier League game this season while Keinan Davis has amassed only 48 minutes of top-flight football ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/aston-villa/leistungsdaten/verein/405/plus/0?reldata=GB1%262020)).

[Wesley is likely to move ahead of Davis](https://readastonvilla.com/2021/02/25/wesley-injury-return-aston-villa-keinan-davis-future/) in the pecking order when he’s fit.

**READ ASTON VILLA VERDICT**

It’s fantastic news for Villa and its supporters that Wesley is close to returning. Watkins will finally be afforded a rest and another striker can take the scoring burden off his shoulders.