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Aston Villa fans had a clear favourite to step in for John McGinn as Dean Smith’s side host city rivals Birmingham City on Sunday. Birkir Bjarnason was unanimously voted the supporters’ number-one choice, but will now miss the tie as well after undergoing groin surgery.
What’s the word?
Smith had called on McGinn’s services more than any other central player since replacing Steve Bruce. In total, the Scotland international has recorded 15 Championship appearances so far this season, almost twice as many as his rivals for the position.
A calf injury, however, saw the 24-year-old withdraw from his national side ahead of UEFA Nations league fixtures against Albania and Israel, and raise doubts over his involvement in the Second City derby.
It appeared the decision facing Smith would, therefore, be between Bjarnason and Glenn Whelan, while Mile Jedinak could move back into the midfield after regularly slotting in at centre-back.
Villa fans’ clear favourite by some way was Bjarnason, as the Icelandic international received 91% of the votes in a recent Football FanCast poll.
The 30-year-old, however, will be unable to answer the call after confirming via his Instagram that he has undergone surgery to his groin.
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What brought the surgery on?
Bjarnason had featured in each of Smith’s opening three games in charge, but a groin injury forced the midfielder off against QPR and kept him on the sidelines for the 2-0 win over Bolton and the 3-0 rout of Derby.
The international break was the Icelandic man’s chance to regain fitness having withdrawn from representing his country, but he will now face an extended period out of action.
Who can fill in now?
Villa are in an awful situation when it comes to injuries at present, with doubts residing over the inclusion of McGinn and two defenders.
James Chester and Neil Taylor have joined the Scotland international in the physio room, with the pair both facing late fitness tests to feature in the Second City derby.
If both are ruled out, Mile Jedinak will be forced to fill in at centre-back again – with Alan Hutton changing sides to feature at left-back.
The Australian international – who has featured more as a central defender this season than he has in his natural defensive midfield role – had been the fan’s second choice to replace McGinn, meaning the man with just 3% of votes will likely be called upon.
Glenn Whelan has started just four matches so far this season, with his last full 90 minutes coming a month ago away to Norwich.