Smith will be elated after Aston Villa handed ‘massive bonus’ pre-Chelsea – pundit
Chelsea’s injury problems will be music to the ears of Aston Villa boss Dean Smith.
So says ex-Premier League shot-stopper Paddy Kenny, speaking exclusively to Football Insider ahead of the pair’s clash tomorrow (11 September).
Star men N’Golo Kante, Romeleu Lukaku and Christian Pulisic are injury doubts, while Reece James is suspended after his red card against Liverpool.
Thiago Silva meanwhile is one of a number of England-based Brazil players blocked from competing this weekend.
Villa have known for some time that they would be without Argentine duo Emiliano Martinez and Emiliano Buendia.
The goalkeeper and the playmaker have been forced to stop over in green-list Croatia for 10 days after their return from international duty.
But Kenny insists that Villa will be delighted that their problems are offset by Chelsea’s.
He told Football Insider correspondent Adam Williams: “Any team that has got that many players missing, it’ll be a massive bonus for the opposition.
“They have got a better chance of beating Chelsea now, but it’s still going to be a very tough game.
“With that many players out though, they’ll think they’ve got a shot at getting something from the game.
“I think especially with the players that Villa have got missing themselves, Dean Smith will love to see it.“
Villa have picked up four points from their opening three matches in the league this season.
Chelsea sit on seven points after their draw with Liverpool before the international break.
In other news, pundit slams Aston Villa trio as Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris rage.