Defender’s KO could leave Villa hamstrung
Mings and Targett were among five defenders Smith brought in over the summer as Villa spent around £140 million to give the club the best possible chance of top-flight survival.
Bjorn Engels, who will almost definitely partner fellow summer signing Ezri Konsa in the centre of defence at Bramall Lane, and Kortney Hause were also signed, yet Villa’s defending has often left a lot to be desired.
They haven’t had too many problems scoring, even though £22 million record purchase Wesley is stuck in the rut of an eight-match drought. Keeping them out at the other end has been their Achilles heel.
Smith’s men have conceded two or more in ten of 16 league games this season, though their cause has not been helped by the continued absence of club captain James Chester, who has not made a single appearance through injury.
Despite the setback on Sunday, when Villa lost by two goals or more for the first time since the openingweekend defeat at Tottenham, captain Jack Grealish has backed his team to respond and hit form over the festive period.
“We have so much belief in each other in that changing room,” said Grealish, who scored his sixth goal in all competitions in the loss to Leicester.
“We’ll dust ourselves down this week and get ready for the game against Sheffield United on Saturday.
“Then we have a big load of games coming up over the Christmas period with teams all around us. We’ll certainly be looking forward to them.”
Grealish picked up his fourth caution of the season in the closing stages against the Foxes, meaning one more caution will see him serve a one-match suspension.
The cut-off for accumulation of yellow cards ends after 19 league games and Villa have played 16 games.
We’ve given too many opportunities away in games so far this season
Dean Smith