Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish will sit out Wednesday’s Carabao Cup clash with Wolves due to a minor calf injury. Villa have stumbled on some form over recent weeks, enjoying a four-game unbeaten run, until they were stopped in their tracks by Manchester City last weekend.
Dean Smith’s men have edged away from relegation danger and will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways against Wolves.
They have won each of their last four meetings in domestic cup competitions against Wolves, while the Villans are unbeaten at home to their Midlands rivals since 2011.
But Grealish is expected to miss out after he sustained an injury after receiving a kick to the calf in Saturday’s loss at the Etihad.
Jota is certain to be on the sidelines as he continues to recover from hernia surgery, while James Chester has stepped up his training schedule but this encounter comes too soon for him.
Jonathan Kodjia recently returned to action with the Under-23s after time out with a fractured cheekbone but needs more time to get up to speed.
Wolves initially looked like they would struggle to compete on multiple fronts this season but their recent form suggests they have the squad depth to manage their workload.
Indeed, they are unbeaten in eight games across all competitions, and boss Nuno Espirito Santo has rotated well over recent weeks.
Wolves haven’t gone beyond the fourth round of the Carabao Cup since 1995-96 when they lost 1-0 to Villa.
Willy Boly missed Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Newcastle after suffering an injury in training and the club have now confirmed it is a broken ankle.
Nuno could be stretched in terms of defensive options with Ryan Bennett also rated as a doubt with a groin complaint, but forward Pedro Neto should return from a heel issue.
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