Injury jinx has to end soon – boss

STEVE Bruce believes his team’s rotten luck with injuries must surely change as Aston Villa gear up for a busy festive period.

Villa’s sizeable squad has been stretched to the limit this season with injuries affecting virtually every position.

Strikers Scott Hogan and Jonathan Kodjia, along with club captain John Terry and key midfielder Mile Jedinak, all missed the 1-1 draw at Leeds United.

Andre Green, Gabby Agbonlahor, Rushian Hepburn-Murphy and Jordan Lyden were also absent with various ailments.

Agbonlahor returned to training on Monday as he steps up his rehabilitation from a calf complaint. The Brummie striker has been out of action since early September.

Agbonlahor’s absence has coincided with a striker shortage, which has left emerging rookie Keinan Davis to lead the line.

Kodjia, last season’s top scorer, is out for the rest of the season after a recurrence of his ankle problem, while Hogan has abdominal trouble and Ross McCormack is on loan at Melbourne City.

Bruce will hope others follow Agbonlahor back into the firstteam reckoning ahead of a hectic run of six games in 24 days, starting with Millwall at home on Saturday.

“Sometimes you need a bit of luck, we don’t need any more injuries,” said the manager.

“We’ve had broken bones and awful injuries – kidney injuries and knee injuries – all have happened in games, so it’s part and parcel of it.

“Surely now there’s no more, because you hope it doesn’t derail you.

“We’re without our strikers at the moment, Hogan and Kodjia, and Jedinak and John Terry.

“It’s a big list – we’ve got big players missing, so it’s important we stay fit and healthy if we can.”

The point at Leeds meant fifth-placed Villa maintained a six-point advantage over the Whites in the Championship table. But it saw Villa lose ground on the automatic promotion places, with Cardiff City beating Norwich City to move seven points clear of Bruce’s side and leaders Wolves going 11 points clear after defeating Birmingham City.

Ironically, it was a player only just back from a spell on the sidelines who salvaged a draw at Elland Road.

Henri Lansbury stepped off the bench to bag the equaliser – his first goal for the club – in his first game for two-and-a-half months.

The introduction of Lansbury and Jack Grealish, another player who has endured a stop-start season, helped to turn Friday night’s contest in Villa’s favour.

“He (Lansbury) looked a very good player when he came on,” Bruce added. “He will be a big addition for us. Him and Grealish, and that’s good to see.”