Dean Smith says injuries may force club to act in transfer market
Friday 3 January 2020 19:27, UK
Aston Villa have confirmed Tom Heaton and Wesley will miss the remainder of the season due to knee injuries.
Both players suffered significant knee ligament damage during the 2-1 win at Burnley on Wednesday.
On Friday, Villa revealed they would be recalling goalkeeper Matija Sarkic from his loan spell at Livingston following Heaton's season-ending injury.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's FA Cup third-round tie at Fulham, head coach Dean Smith said: "The win came at a cost and the cost is two key players.
"Very disappointed for them. Tom's a great character and a leader and he's proven that in the dressing room already. I feel for him and his family because he'd have been nailed on to go to the Euros in the summer.
"We've had five games in 16 days and I think we've got another seven to come in January so we can't go around feeling sorry for ourselves. We've got to deal with it and help the players in their recovery but also go and recruit wisely as well."
Smith explained the injuries to Heaton and Wesley could alter Villa's plans for the January transfer window, which opened on Wednesday.
It is understood they have already enquired about taking Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi on loan, while Smith says they could also try to sign a new goalkeeper with No 2 Jed Steer also sidelined with a calf injury and set to be out for at least another two months.
"We had business planned anyway and that will still continue," said Smith. "I'm sitting down tonight with (chief executive) Christian Purslow and (sporting director) Jesus (Garcia Pitarch) to see what this changes for us. It will probably hasten what we do in the market."
