Crocked McGinn set to miss tie with Liverpool’s kids

ASTON VILLA v LIVERPOOL Kick-off: 7.45pm at Villa Park. TV: LIVE on Sky Sports from 7.30pm. Referee: Lee Mason.

ASTON VILLA’S John McGinn is unlikely to start tonight’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Liverpool after playing through the pain barrier recently.

The midfielder was in considerable discomfort following Villa’s 2-0 win over Newcastle last month, and a scan revealed a tear to a thigh muscle, thought to have occurred playing for Scotland.

McGinn has been having painkilling injections to get through matches, and was not able to take a full part in training sessions. He is believed to have resumed normal training only last week, even though he still played every minute of the games against Manchester United, Chelsea and Leicester.

The 25-year-would be likely to return to the starting line-up at the weekend to help Villa ease their relegation fears. After Liverpool, they have two home games against direct rivals at the foot of the table: Southampton on Saturday, then Norwich on Boxing Day.

McGinn made a superb start to the season, scoring three goals in his opening seven league matches, and although he has been quieter of late, he remains an important player to boss Dean Smith, who is set to make changes tonight.

Jack Grealish, Douglas Luiz, Anwar El Ghazi and Bjorn Engels might be rested while Conor Hourihane could return after missing Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Sheffield United with injury.

In the opposition dugout, Liverpool Under 23 coach Neil Critchley will take a good luck call from Jurgen Klopp tonight. With the first-team squad in Qatar for the

Club World Cup, Critchley will field the youngest team in the club’s history.

He knows it will take a miracle for the youngsters to cause an upset — they lost to Oldham, Fleetwood (on penalties) and Accrington in the EFL Trophy — but will still demand they do themselves and the club justice.

‘It’s a great opportunity for all of us,’ said Critchley. ‘There’s no better feeling for a young coach than seeing your players go and play to the best of their abilities. If they do that, then that is where my pride will come from. I’m sure Jurgen will be in touch. He takes great interest in our young players.’

Additional reporting: Richard Tanner