, Aston Villa midfielders cause of some concern for Steve Bruce

Aston Villa midfielders cause of some concern for Steve Bruce

Aston Villa’s league form continued in rude health at the weekend with a 1-0 away win over Nottingham Forest.  However the intensity of games over the festive period does seem to be taking something of a toll on Steve Bruce’s players.

Whilst not, on the surface, in anyway serious, Glenn Whelan was forced to come off at half-time, when he was replaced by Birkir Bjarnason.

Bruce however, was not overtly concerned, stating: “He hurt his knee in the challenge just before half-time, in the blocked challenge.  For him to come off it must be sore.

“I’ve got no problems with Glenn Whelan.  As I’ve said many times, you don’t play in the Premier League, averaging 30 games every season.  His experience and knowhow will be important.”

Whelan had been brought into the side to replace his fellow tricenarian, Mile Jedinak.  Jedinak, similar to Whelan, doesn’t appear to be out for any considerable length of time.

“He hurt his thigh and really only trained on Tuesday.”  Bruce said of the Australian midfielder.

“He’s also been sick so he wasn’t right.  With a thigh injury, you can’t take any risk either. He was never in contention.”

Villa face struggling Barnsley on Saturday afternoon at Villa Park before travelling to Sheffield United in their next league game on January 30th.  Chris Wilder’s team will prove a formidable test.  If Villa do overcome Barnsley in the meantime, it would be a chance for Villa to put some daylight between themselves and United.

More pertinent, would be the opportunity to put pressure on Derby County and Cardiff City for the second automatic promotion spot.  Wolves aren’t out of sight yet, but they’re heading in that direction.  Villa will hope to be their closest companions.

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