Aston Villa skipper Jack Grealish in the mix for a start
Villa boss Dean Smith will consider giving Jack Grealish a first Premier League start in more than three months at Tottenham tonight.
Grealish has made two appearances off the bench since returning from a shin injury and Smith was due to sit down with the skipper and the club’s medical to discuss the next steps.
The boss confirmed yesterday Villa’s original plan was to start Grealish in Sunday’s season curtain call against Chelsea but that could be brought forward, depending on how the 25-year-old is feeling.
Smith explained: “There was a plan for him to play 15 minutes in the first game, 30 in the second and I’ve probably squeezed a couple more minutes out of him both times.
“The plan was probably not to start him against Tottenham. But I’ll have a chat with Jack, and the medical staff, to see where we are with that. It depends on how he is feeling.”
Tyrone Mings is expected to return after sitting out last weekend’s 3-2 defeat at Crystal Palace though January signing Morgan Sanson will miss the final two matches with a knee injury.
Tonight’s match is Villa’s first in front of a crowd for more than 14 months and Smith said: “I think everybody is looking forward to it.
“I think the last year has shown just how important supporters are, they are the heart and soul of football. We’ve certainly missed that. I’m really looking forward to it.”
