Steve Bruce has revealed that Aston Villa are still likely to be without Alan Hutton, Axel Tuanzebe and Glenn Whelan when they face Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.  

Hutton and Tuanzebe have been absent with hamstring injuries, whilst Whelan has a calf problem, which has forced the trio to miss Villa’s recent fixtures in the Sky Bet Championship.

Speaking in the aftermath of Villa’s 3-1 defeat to Queens Park Rangers last night, Bruce was quizzed on the absent trio, but was unable to provide a positive update, revealing it was likely they’d miss Saturday’s trip to the Macron Stadium.

When asked if the trio would be available for Saturday, Bruce told @AVFCOfficial: “I wouldn’t have thought so, we are looking at after the weekend and the international break before they are ready.”

Villa fell seven points adrift of the Championship’s automatic promotion places last night, with QPR walking away from Villa Park with a vital three points thanks to a 3-1 victory.

Goals from Ryan Manning, Jake Bidwell and Luke Freeman secured the points for the visitors, with Villa’s consolation goal coming from James Chester.

Cardiff City’s victory at Brentford means that they now hold a seven-point advantage over Villa in the race for second.

The Verdict

Bruce’s defensive options are beginning to look stretched at a key part of the season, and he will hope to welcome back Hutton and Tuanzebe sooner, rather than later.

Mile Jedinak was tasked with playing his second game in four days yesterday due to Whelan’s absence.

The Australian midfielder looked tired against QPR, and had Whelan been available, he might’ve been rested.

Whelan’s return is something that can’t come quick enough for Bruce.

Aston Villa fans… Let us know your thoughts!