Aston Villa have one eye on the clash with Leeds United on December 22, with Dean Smith hoping that Albert Adomah, Henri Lansbury and Birkir Bjarnason are all available for that date.

Heading into this weekend’s clash with Stoke City, Smith is without a number of first-team players, including the trio of Adomah, Lansbury and Bjarnason, who have all been out for a number of weeks now.

Whilst they won’t be available to face Stoke, Matt Maher from the Express and Star has revealed that there is hope they’ll be fit eight days later when Leeds visit Villa Park.

The journalist was also able to offer an update on Neil Taylor, who is expected to miss two weeks with his hamstring problem.

In the meantime, Smith will have to shuffle his pack for this weekend’s clash with Stoke, as Villa look to extend the six-match unbeaten run they’ve put together in recent weeks.

They’ll have to do so without Jack Grealish, though, with the midfielder picking up a shin injury last week against West Brom.

Smith has hopes that Grealish will be available for the Christmas period, but it remains to be seen, with further tests needed.

The Verdict

Injuries are plaguing Villa at this moment in time, and this weekend against Stoke might be a struggle.

However, bodies are coming back for an even bigger clash with Leeds, and with the festive period after that, it can only be a good thing for Smith.

The doubt surrounding Grealish is an obvious concern, though, as he’s a massive player in this side.

Thoughts? Let us know!