Aston Villa midfielder Ross Barkley is set to miss at least his side's next two games after coming off with a hamstring injury in the 2-1 defeat to Brighton on Saturday.
Barkley sustained the injury in the first minute of the game and though initial scans have shown the injury is not too serious, the on-loan Chelsea man is expected to miss next Monday’s trip to West Ham and the following weekend’s home fixture with Newcastle.
An early target for his return could be the Midlands derby against Wolves at Molineux on December 12th.
The news is a blow for Villa manager Dean Smith, after Barkley started his loan spell at the club in fine form, scoring twice in five games and delivering a stunning assist for Ollie Watkins in the 3-0 win over Arsenal before the international break.
Smith is expected to turn to either Bertrand Traore or Conor Hourihane to fill the void, with the Sierra Leone international the man who got the nod to replace Barkley from the bench on Saturday.
The former Lyon man didn’t do his chances of an extended run in the team any harm, providing the assist for Ezri Konsa’s equalising goal.
Villa travel to West Ham next week in hope of extending their impressive away record, having not conceded a single goal on the road this season as they look to continue their 100% record.
