Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce sweating over Jack Grealish injury
Jack Grealish was taken to hospital after being injured in Villa’s 0-0 pre-season draw with Watford.
The 21-year-old attacker was forced off after 26 minutes of the game at Villa Park following a collision with Hornets midfielder Tom Cleverley.
He was later transported to hospital, suffering from sickness.
Villa boss Steve Bruce said: “Jack has gone to hospital. He is not OK at the minute. It has knocked him sick, whatever he has got.
“We are hoping internally he is OK. We will not find out for the next 24 hours but he is away at hospital as we speak.”
Grealish was hit in the side by Cleverley’s knee as the pair challenged for the ball and then landed awkwardly.
His participation in Villa’s Championship opener with Hull City is next Saturday is now in doubt with Bruce adding: “He got a knee in the ribs, underneath the ribs, in between there and the hip. He took a thump.”
Henri Lansbury saw his spot-kick saved by Hornets keeper Heurelho Gomes as Villa closed out pre-season with a stalemate.
Gabriel Agbonlahor also missed a good chance to score in the opening minutes of a game organised in memory of Graham Taylor.
With now just a week to go before the start of the season, Bruce is encouraged by the way in which his team is shaping up.
“I have said before I hated pre-season as a player,” he added. “I dislike it even more as a manager because sometimes it can lead you into a false sense of security because they are friendlies.
“But I like the balance of the team. I think in areas today we looked very decent.
“The two or three lads we have brought in will certainly improve us with our experience. We are as ready as we can be but the proof will be in the pudding next week.”
