Dean Smith admits losing ‘excellent’ 25-year-old is a big blow as Aston Villa prepare for West Ham clash

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Dean Smith admitted that losing Kortney Hause for four-six weeks is a big blow as Aston Villa prepare to welcome West Ham to Villa Park tonight.

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The Villans and the Hammers have both made fine starts to their Premier League campaigns.

David Moyes’s side are currently sitting in fifth spot in the table on 35 points, three points ahead of Dean Smith’s ninth placed Villa.

The West Midlands outfit do have two games in hand on the east Londoners, however.

West Ham beat Aston Villa 2-1 in the reverse fixture at the London Stadium in November.

It will be a tough one tonight for the Hammers, however.

Aston Villa injury blow

The Villans are a very good side.

Dean Smith did admit that losing Kortney Hause for around six weeks is a big blow for Villa, however, as quoted by the club’s official website:

“Kortney has had his scan and he’s got a problem with his foot, he’s going to be out for at least 4-6 weeks. It was a bit of a blow for everyone because he came in the team, played four games and was excellent. It’s disappointing we’ve lost him for a period of time.”

The 25-year-old has been missing for the past four games after suffering a foot problem.

The subsequent scan has obviously unearthed an issue that will keep the defender out for around six weeks.

And having Hause unavailable for tonight’s clash with West Ham will undoubtedly be a big loss for the Villans.

The Hammers’ main strength is our aerial ability, both defensively and offensively.

Hause, standing at 6ft 3in tall, is incredibly strong in the air. He has won an average of seven aerial duals per game in four Premier League appearances for Villa this season (Who Scored).

In the four games that the London born defender has played for Aston Villa this season, Dean Smith’s side let in just one goal. So his importance to the Villans is clear and obvious to see.

And West Ham’s chances of winning the game tonight will greatly increase due to Hause’s absence.