Aston Villa head coach Dean Smith says that the 'eternal optimist' in him is hoping that Jack Grealish will be fit to face Leeds United next weekend.
The Villa captain was absent from his side's 2-1 defeat at home to Leicester City on Sunday afternoon with a leg injury that he suffered in training this week.
That was the first match Grealish has missed in the Premier League since November 2019, with goals from James Maddison and Harvey Barnes before the break meaning that Bertrand Traore's second-half strike was a mere consolation.
Smith confirmed before the match that he did not want to risk the influential 25-year-old.
"He's had some discomfort in training this week and we decided that it wasn't right to play so we pulled him out of there," he told Sky Sports before the match,
"We don't believe it's a long-term injury but we're just going to assess it as it goes," he added. "It's on his leg. It's no recurrence of any previous injuries."
Villa now have just one win in their last four games and next up is a Saturday tea-time trip to Elland Road.
"I've no idea," Smith replied when asked Grealish will be able to return.
"We're assessing him. I'm hopeful for Leeds but I'm always the eternal optimist."
Smith also admitted that Grealish's absence will test them.
"[It will be] a challenge, but also an opportunity because we've been a good team this year. Jack will be the first one to admit, he's been really pleased with our positions and how we've done this season as a team.
"It speaks a lot about the football club that we've been talking about, Aston Villa, not just Jack Grealish.
"We know what Jack Grealish can bring to any team. He's been instrumental for us, a top player, but we've got top players in that dressing room. A midfield three of a Brazilian international, an English international and a Scottish international, so we're not too shabby."
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