Dean Smith spoke to the media via a virtual press conference on Friday morning to preview Aston Villa’s home clash against Tottenham Hotspur.
The club’s head coach, who was presented with a cake at the start to celebrate his 50th birthday, discussed a number of issues ahead of the match.
Here’s what he had to say…
On team news...
“Wesley is in full-time training with us and we’ve arranged a match during the international break where we can get some game-time into him. That’s what he needs now.
“Bert is having an injection and he will train on Saturday, so he should be available for selection come Sunday.
“He got a whack in the rib, took a tumble over the boards and he was in a lot of pain. He went to hospital but thankfully there was no bleed. He’s just had some painkillers for that and he’ll be ready to train Saturday morning.”
On Jack Grealish…
“I’m hopeful for Jack. I’ll leave it until Sunday morning. He’s not trained with us at the moment, but he’s pain-free and he’s running. Ultimately, it will be his decision.
“I’m hopeful, but if he doesn’t play I can pretty much guarantee he’ll be ready for the Fulham game after the international break. I know Aston Villa fans will be fretting over whether it’s a long-term injury.
“It’s not a long-term injury. We’ve been guided by Jack, who’s been suffering the pain. We’ll leave it as late as we can.”
On Ollie Watkins’ England call-up…
“I’m thrilled for Ollie. He’s one of the most hard-working individuals I’ve worked with. He’s got lots of qualities, but the biggest one for me has always been his attitude and selfless nature to the team.
“Last year he was the top scorer in the Championship and we wanted to bring him to Aston Villa – we believed he could make that step-up.
“One of the questions he had for me when he signed was how I could get him into the England squad. He’s got himself into the England squad with his performances for Aston Villa.
“Everyone at the football club is thrilled for him.”
On taking on Tottenham...
“The thing that helps us more than anything last night (Tottenham’s Europa League exit) is the fact that the game went to extra-time.
“The result for us is probably the wrong thing because I can expect Jose Mourinho to get a backlash from his players and for them to come out fighting at Villa Park.
“We have to make sure that we concentrate on ourselves rather than Tottenham.
“It’s a squad that is littered with very good players, none more so than Harry Kane. We have to be at our best to get anything out of this game.”
