Dean Smith makes transfer admission after Aston Villa duo injuries

Aston Villa boss Dean Smith has confirmed they will need to focus on January transfers, following goalkeeper Tom Heaton's and forward Wesley Moraes' injuries. The duo suffered serious knee injuries during the club's New Year's Day win at Turf Moor. Both players have underwent scans on Thursday and are expected to be out of the game for a long-term. The players' absent is a huge blow for Aston Villa's struggle in the Premier League, and speaking on the case, Smith said on Friday: "It's a win that has come at a cost – they've both got significant knee injuries. That's all I've been told and it's all I need to know really. It rules them out for the season. It's a real blow getting two significant injuries like that in the same game. Tom is an England keeper, a Premier League keeper and a great character. I feel for him and his family because he was naile don to go to the Euros. Wesley is our record signing who came here under a lot of pressure but has recently made his debut for Brazil." On the duo's diagnosis, the club boss said: "I can't go into the medical terminology but I've just been told they are significant. I've spoken to both of them. We just have to plan accordingly now. I will sit down with the top people here and see what they say but it will hasten what we do in the market." Now, as the duo will be missing, Smith will need to discuss their January plans, along with chief executive Christian Purslow and sporting director Suso. Michy Batshuayi was targeted as Wesley's replacement. "We've got business planned, that'll continue. I'm sitting down tonight with Christian and Suso to see what this changes for us. It'll hasten what we do in the market. The recruitment side won't change from what we were looking at before," the manager added. Source: Mirror

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