Aston Villa have revealed that they have suffered a massive triple injury blow ahead of their clash with Wolves on Saturday with Glenn Whelan, Alan Hutton and Axel Tuanzebe all likely to miss out.
Veteran central midfielder Whelan has been brilliant for Villa in recent weeks but limped off after an hour during their comfortable 3-0 win over Sunderland on Tuesday.
It was revealed that the 34-year-old had suffered an injury to his calf, which he has failed to recover from in time for this weekend’s crucial clash.
Right-back duo Hutton and Tuanzebe are also likely to be missing against the league leaders, with both men sustaining hamstring injuries.
The club confirmed the news on their official Twitter account on Friday afternoon:
? Injury report: Glenn Whelan set to miss #AVLWOL with a calf injury#PartOfThePride #AVFC pic.twitter.com/lEPBjtMkxb
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) March 9, 2018
? Injury report: Alan Hutton and Axel Tuanzebe are also unlikely to take part in #AVLWOL due to hamstring issues#PartOfThePride #AVFC pic.twitter.com/yaZ6YRtdrp
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) March 9, 2018
OPINION
The loss of Whelan may not look like a big one, but the veteran midfielder has been great for Villa recently. Manager Steve Bruce is known to be a big fan of the Irishman, and his absence in the middle of the park will weaken Villa. The loss of Hutton and Tuanzebe, both right-backs, and both to hamstring injuries is another cruel blow for the Villans. Ahmed Elmohamady should easily fill in there on Saturday however.