Dean Smith will be forced into another change this weekend with Matty Cash sidelined with a hamstring injury he picked up at Brighton last week.
The right-back has started 21 of Villa’s 22 Premier League games this season and missed his one and only match against Burnley due to suspension in mid-December.
Against the Clarets it was Ahmed Elmohamady who came in and put in a solid performance with the 33-year-old primed once more to replace Cash at right-back for Leicester City on Sunday.
Smith said: “Cash will be out, he’s got a hamstring strain. I’m not sure the level of grading but it’ll certainly be a few weeks out which is a blow for us.
“But it’s something we’ve been quite capable of dealing with so far. We haven’t had too many injuries but when we have, people have come in and done a job.
“(Cash) will certainly be a miss but we’ve got the likes of Elmo, who hasn’t played many games this season, fit and able to come in.”
Smith held his press conference ahead of Sunday’s showdown with Leicester City and here’s the relevant team news and updates:
Hamstring injury. On February 13, he was forced out in the 61st minute against Brighton with a hamstring injury.
LIKELY RETURN DATE: Saturday, April 3 (h).
SMITH SAID: “He has a hamstring strain.” I’m estimating three to four weeks. It wasn’t a result of exhaustion. He was only pressed with a straight leg and felt his hamstring tighten. I’m not sure what grade it is; I’m expecting him to be out for three to four weeks.”
only BUSINESS: Looks like he’ll miss the next four Premier League games against Leicester, Leeds, Wolves, and Newcastle, with Elmohamady, Ezri Konsa, and Kaine Kesler serving as Smith’s only options at right-back.
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