WESLEY A CHRISTMAS CROCKER

ASTON VILLA v SHEFF UNITED

Villa Park: Monday, 6pm

ASTON VILLA boss Dean

Smith has admitted last summer’s record buy Wesley is unlikely to be fit until January.

Villa paid Bruges £22million for the striker after promotion. He scored six times in 22 games but badly injured a knee on New Year’s Day after grabbing a goal in a 2-1 win at Burnley.

The South American (above) admits he broke down in tears following the injury which needed major surgery and rehabilitation back in his native Brazil.

Asked if Wesley was on course to return to first-team action at the turn of the year, Smith said: “Certainly. We believed it was going to be a 12-month injury.

“Nothing has told us otherwise yet. The swelling has gone down on his knee now but it was quite a bad injury he suffered.

“He’s back now with us but isn’t back training in any shape or form. He is getting full range into it and hopefully he will be back as soon as possible.”

Villa host Sheffield United on Monday in their opening league game of the season, with £28m record signing Ollie Watkins in line for his Premier League debut after joining from Brentford.

Blades new boy Max Lowe is also aiming to make his top flight debut, and admitted it will be “a big step up”.

Lowe was signed from Derby this month and had a taste of what to expect when given his debut at Burnley in the Carabao Cup on Thursday in a line-up with 10 changes from Monday’s defeat by Wolves .

The fringe players and new arrivals gave a good account of themselves in a tie the Clarets won on penalties, and Lowe said: “That was important for a lot of us who haven’t played in this league. It’s a big step up for us but we need to show the gaffer we’re ready and he can trust us.”