Grealish set for lengthy spell on the sidelines with shin injury

The Villa skipper has been in inspiring form this term, but the team will now have to learn to make do without him for a while.

Jack Grealish has been ruled out for about a month due to an injury in what comes as a huge blow for Aston Villa.

Grealish was omitted from Aston Villa’s squad for the Premier League match against Leicester City on Sunday, having picked up a shin injury earlier this week in training.

Having contributed to 16 of the team’s Premier League goals, his absence did not go unnoticed for the Hammers as they suffered a 1-0 home loss.

The England international has been an ever-present figure for his side as it was the first time he had missed a league game this season and since November 2019.

“We will assess it as we go. It is certainly not a recurrence of an old injury and certainly not long term,” manager Dean Smith told of his star player, speaking to BBC Sport.

“We will just assess it, I am an eternal optimist and I’ll hope he is back for Leeds next week but I’ll leave it to the medical staff.”

“We don’t believe it’s a long-term injury. We’re just going to assess him as he goes. I’ve no idea [how long he’ll be out for]. I’m hopeful. I’m always an optimist.”

Grealish could sit out the next five Premier League fixtures for Aston Villa – against Leeds United, Sheffield United, Wolves, Newcastle United, and Tottenham.