Dean Smith: Aston Villa could be without two players for Premier League restart
Dean Smith has admitted Villa could resume the Premier League season missing two players due to medical concerns.
The club are currently in discussions over a possible June restart for the top flight, with their squad potentially returning to training within the next fortnight.
But Smith insists pressure will not be placed on any player uncomfortable with returning to Bodymoor Heath during the coronavirus pandemic.
The boss revealed how one member of his first-team suffers from asthma, placing them in the high-risk category, while another lives with a relative in remission from cancer.
Smith told Sky Sports: “You have to be very careful, certainly with the transmission. This disease knows no boundaries.
“Everyone wants to get back into training but they want to see what the medical protocols are first. There is a certain risk attached to the return to training for all players.
“The health and safety of the players is paramount. If they are not comfortable to return then you have to return without them.
“We have to listen to our players and listen to their concerns. If the protocol is we can move forward then the players who can do it will do so.”
Villa sat 19th in the table when the season was suspended in March 13 and are keen on resuming the season in order to play their way out of the relegation zone.
The next few days are set to be crucial for Project Restart with the government currently reviewing current lockdown measures.
But Smith added: “There has been a lot of talk but from what I’ve been told we will be lead by the government.
“There are a lot of questions at the moment but until we get the guidance there are a lot more of those than answers.
“We all want to finish the season. We all want to play the games. We have 10 matches left and if we win our match in hand we will jump out of the relegation zone.”
