Aston Villa's England Under 21 international playmaker Jack Grealish will miss the start of the Championship season, due to a bizarre injury he suffered in the Villains' final pre season match against Watford, on Saturday, report the Birmingham Mail

The youngster fell awkwardly during the first half of the 0-0 draw with Marco Silva's Hornets, and while Villa boss Steve Bruce hoped that the player would not be seriously hurt, Grealish has taken to Facebook to reveal that he will be out for up to three months.

The 21-year-old stated that an elbow blow to his kidney had caused it to bleed, necessitating surgery, which he has successfully undergone and now embarks on a recovery period that could keep him out until November.

The versatile playmaker also added that he will be doing everything in his power to come back 'fitter and stronger', to aid Villa's promotion push upon his return from injury.

Grealish made 31 Championship appearances for his boyhood club last season, sticking with them following their relegation from the top flight, scoring five goals and laying on five assists for team mates.

However, the youngster was involved in some off-field controversies and will expect that there is much more to come, if he can put this unexpected injury set-back behind him and return to the Aston Villa first team fit, sharp and focused on returning the club to the top flight.

In a side now heavy on experience, Bruce will be looking to the likes to Grealish for youth and invention, as they seek to unlock defences and put together a serious promotion push that simply failed to materialise last season.

The Verdict: 

Steve Bruce stated over the weekend that while he is keen to make new additions, his ability to do so depends greatly on how many outgoings he can engineer, in order to align with Financial Fair Play and also to trim the squad that has been bloated by Villa's chopping and changing of managers in recent years.

However, this unexpected injury to Grealish, who adds versatility and creativity to Villa's attacking options may force the former Hull City manager into the market as a matter of urgency - although it is usually a hard sell to convince someone to come in, when they know they will go back to being cover upon Grealish's return from injury.

More important to Bruce will be that Grealish's recovery occurs without a hitch, as it is an unusual injury, which must be managed carefully and the former Wigan boss will not want to be without the young starlet for any longer than the projected three months.

Villa fans - how does the injury news affect your summer plans? Should Bruce make a move for someone to cover Grealish or just wait for him to come back?