Steve Bruce: Divine intervention required if Gabriel Agbonlahor is to face Blues
Steve Bruce has admitted Gabriel Agbonlahor will require divine intervention to stand any chance of being fit for Sunday’s Second City derby.
The 31-year-old striker has been Villa’s match-winner on no fewer than three occasions against Blues and has missed only one of the last 11 meetings between the rivals, dating back to 2006.
But a calf injury which has kept him sidelined for the best part of two months also means he is set to miss out on Sunday’s game at St Andrews.
“Is Gabby going to be okay? I doubt it,” said Bruce. “Unless he goes to see the Messiah!
“We know he enjoys the occasion but it’s looking unlikely for him.”
Agbonlahor, Villa’s current longest-serving player, has developed an uncanny knack for delivering the goods in the derby.
His goal in Villa’s 1-0 win over their rivals back in April was his first for 14 months.
Jack Grealish, Mile Jedinak and Henri Lansbury are all in contention to return for Sunday’s game.
Midfielder Jedinak has played for just 45 minutes this season after undergoing groin surgery during the summer, while Grealish has been out since suffering kidney damage in pre-season.
