Aston Villa face a fortnight without Tyrone Mings

The club are hopeful the England international will play some part in what is likely to be a vital festive programme. But Mings is not likely to feature in either of Villa’s next three fixtures, after suffering the injury early in Sunday’s 4-1 defeat to Leicester City.

Villa, who are only outside the Premier League’s bottom three on goal difference, travel to Sheffield United this Saturday before hosting Southampton the following weekend. A Carabao Cup quarter-final against Liverpool is sandwiched in between.

Boss Dean Smith may now to turn to Kortney Hause to plug the gap left by Mings. The 24-year-old is yet to make a top flight appearance since making a £3million switch from Wolves last summer but is highly-rated by Smith and, like Mings, plays on the left-hand side of central defence.

Mings helped Villa win promotion after joining on loan from Bournemouth in January, before completing a £20million permanent move in the summer.

His remarkable year has included a first senior international call-up, with the 26-year-old handed his Three Lions debut in October’s 6-0 win over Bulgaria.

Mings had started all 16 of Villa’s Premier League fixtures to this point, alongside either Bjorn Engels and Ezri Konsa in the heart of defence.

James Chester is also an option for Smith, with the club captain having recovered from the knee and hamstring issues which have blighted much of his own 2019.

Villa’s festive programme also sees them take on Norwich, Watford and Burnley and offers a golden opportunity to pull away from immediate danger.

Smith’s men head to Bramall Lane on Saturday having lost five of their last seven matches, albeit during a run which has seen them take on several of the top flight’s big hitters.