Express & Star

Steve Bruce hopes to have star trio back for Aston Villa's clash with Sheffield United

Villa boss Steve Bruce hopes to have star trio of Jack Grealish, Jonathan Kodjia and John McGinn back for Saturday’s trip to Sheffield United.

Published

All three players were absent as Villa crashed to a 1-0 Carabao Cup defeat at Burton on Tuesday, a result which has placed a little more pressure on the game at Bramall Lane.

Grealish has been suffering with a dead leg sustained in last Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Reading, while McGinn has a sore knee and Kodjia – Villa’s top scorer this season with three goals – is sidelined with an ankle problem.

Getting the trio back fit and firing has taken on an increasing importance for Bruce as his team look to move on from a sobering night, with the manager promising a much-improved performance.

“I am going to accept criticism. I understand that. We have been beaten by Burton in a cup tie,” said Bruce.

“But we will be much better (at Sheffield United). I have used the squad and maybe I shouldn’t but if two or three had got injured then I am walking a tightrope. That’s why I’ve picked the team I did on Tuesday night.”

Villa have been linked with a loan move for Le Havre defender Harold Moukoudi. Bruce is expected to be active in the market right up until Friday’s deadline and is still keen to bring in a striker.

Out-of-favour midfielder Aaron Tshibola has rejoined Kilmarnock on a season-long loan.