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Aston Villa manager Dean Smith confirmed on Monday that centre-back Tommy Elphick will definitely miss the second city derby with Birmingham City on Sunday as he will be out for “four to five weeks”, which is great news for Blues striker Lukas Jutkiewicz ahead of the weekend meeting.
On the chalkboard
The 29-year-old has formed a strong partnership with Che Adams up top for Garry Monk’s men in recent months, but while the in-form ex-Sheffield United attacker has been scoring left, right and centre, it hasn’t been as easy for his teammate.
In fact, the Southampton-born centre-forward hasn’t found the net in the Championship since the 4-2 defeat against – ironically – Villa at the end of November, and will be desperate to get back on the goal trail sooner rather than later as Brum chase an unlikely top-six finish.
Jutkiewicz has still made a big impact despite the drought though, providing seven assists for the promotion hopefuls during that spell.
Elphick absence great news
The Birmingham brute loves to throw his weight around and cause problems for oppositions defenders with his height and strength, and he will be delighted that he won’t be coming up against a fellow tough character in Elphick.
With James Chester currently out with a knee issue Smith has quite the dilemma ahead of the huge clash at St Andrew’s this weekend – Kortney Hause, Mile Jedinak and Neil Taylor are the likely candidates to start alongside Tyrone Mings.
Out of the three only the former is a natural centre-back though, and given his lack of football this term Jutkiewicz would surely fancy his chances of getting the better of him.
The 29-year-old has proven to be a thorn in Villa’s side before, and he will hope to do the same again following the latest eye-catching update.