Aston Villa have suffered a major blow ahead of their Premier League clash against Newcastle on Friday night, with Jack Grealish once again ruled out of action.

The England international has missed the last four Premier League games for Villa after picking up a lower leg injury last month, with the club picking up just four points in those matches in his absence.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the clash against the Magpies, Villa boss Dean Smith said: "Jack has been making really good progress and we are happy at where he's at but, unfortunately, he won't make it (Friday's game).

"He has been ill this week so he's been off for a couple of days as well, but we're hopeful for the Tottenham game now, that's for sure. Jack is still in and around the training ground. He takes part in the meetings. He's got a voice and an opinion, which is good."

Given how badly have Villa struggled without him in terms of their results, Smith will no doubt be gutted that the 25-year-old will once again be missing from first team action.

Grealish has been one of the shining lights of what has been an impressive Premier League campaign for Villa, scoring six goals and providing 12 assists.

It's no surprise that, in the games that he has missed, Villa have lacked creativity and an eye for goal, finding the back of the net just twice in his absence.

The rest of his teammates will have to try and step up once more when they visit St James' Park to take on Newcastle on Friday night.

Meanwhile, Villa could land a new Tyrone Mings in this ace...