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Wesley: Aston Villa fear striker could miss rest of season with knee injury

By Simon StoneBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Aston Villacomments169

Wesley receiving treatment on the pitch at Turf Moor
Aston Villa striker Wesley received lengthy treatment on the pitch before being replaced by Jonathan Kodjia

Aston Villa fear record signing Wesley will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury picked up in Wednesday's 2-1 Premier League win at Burnley.

The striker, 23, scored the opener at Turf Moor but was hurt in a tackle with Clarets' defender Ben Mee.

He had lengthy treatment before leaving the pitch in the 71st minute.

Wesley will have scans on Thursday but club officials think it is likely the Brazilian, signed from Club Bruges in June, has cruciate ligament damage.

Meanwhile, Villa goalkeeper Tom Heaton will also have scans on Thursday to find out the extent of an injury he suffered against Burnley.

The 33-year-old Englishman was taken off on a stretcher after appearing to jar his knee while attempting to save Chris Wood's header in the second half.

Heaton has missed just one of Villa's 21 league games this season, while Wesley has started them all, scoring five goals and assisting one.

His goal in the 27th minute on Wednesday was his first in 13 league appearances, having previously scored four in six matches.

Aston Villa are 17th in the Premier League table, one place and one point above the relegation places.

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169 comments

  • Comment posted by Glad All Over - CPFC, at 12:48 2 Jan 2020

    Shocking tackle from Ben Mee. Wins the ball but he is never in control and fully intends to take the man with a scissor motion in the tackle.

    If I recall correctly, he broke Joe Gomez’s leg last season with a similar reckless tackle that put him out for several months.

    The FA really need to look at serial offenders.

  • Comment posted by ultra_phase, at 13:05 2 Jan 2020

    Ben mee has previous, dirty dirty player

  • Comment posted by UTV_kernow, at 13:42 2 Jan 2020

    Ben Mee has perfected the art of the nasty tackle, he did it to Gomez and now he's done it to Wesley. Taking a lunge at someone and smashing full speed into their standing leg is a reckless foul, getting the ball doesn't make an ounce of difference.

    VAR must be used to pick these things up, like in Rugby Villa (and Liverpool) should be able to cite Mee retrospectively. He is a thug.

  • Comment posted by Andy, at 12:48 2 Jan 2020

    Villa can probably cope without Wesley and get a suitable replacement (on loan?) but if Heaton is done for the season that is a major problem. Irreplaceable.

  • Comment posted by mja, at 13:10 2 Jan 2020

    Watched it live yesterday and Mee Knew exactly what he was doing. He didn't intend to do the damage he has done, but he made sure his legs were either side of Wesley's and scissored him.
    He meant to injure him and in a just world he would be banned until Wesley is able to play again.

  • Comment posted by Martarslipstick, at 13:13 2 Jan 2020

    Very unfortunate when he had scored and may have been on the return to form. Those who are saying things like "blessing in disguise"- That is very harsh, you should not wish a serious injury on someone.

  • Comment posted by Frosty99, at 12:21 2 Jan 2020

    If Villa want to stay up - they need to find a Danny Ings out there, someone who can finish!

  • Comment posted by Jake Teh Minion, at 13:47 2 Jan 2020

    If I remember correctly, Ben Mee did in Liverpool’s Joe Gomez last season with a similar tackle.
    Total disgrace of a footballer and a danger to his fellow pros.
    Gotta hand it to Wesley though, he took the challenge like a champ.
    Villa will probably be alright without Wesley I’d think, window has opened so they can get a replacement in, Heaton is probably of more importance to them.

  • Comment posted by Tom, at 12:22 2 Jan 2020

    The terrible manager that took us from mid-table Championship also rans to the Premier League within a season?

  • Comment posted by Jeff Ace, at 13:56 2 Jan 2020

    If I remember correctly, Ben Mee did in Liverpool’s Joe Gomez last season with a similar tackle.

    -

    Cresswell also did the same tackle to Pepe few weeks ago. Not even a Yellow card given. Cresswell then empowered by the ref did exactly the same in the 2nd half (ended up injuring himself - Karma). Ref's must protect players or it gives certain players license to be reckless.

  • Comment posted by richard mills, at 17:47 2 Jan 2020

    So VAR the first goal ruled out for a Wesley offside in a different phase of play, yet Mee's tackle on the same player ignored. Well done.

  • Comment posted by He dont mean nuffin by it he only got one ear, at 14:49 2 Jan 2020

    Shocking tackle and the offender knew exactly what he was doing (again!).

    I sincerely hope the lad makes a full and speedy recovery.

    Villa played well yesterday and Grealish is the real deal (oh yes he is) but some decent loan players and a couple of PL quality own players in January desperately needed.

  • Comment posted by jude nelson, at 15:04 2 Jan 2020

    Can’t believe there are idiots on here laughing at someone getting injured. Seriously have a word.

    Also amazed they used var to send off the Watford lad for a shirt pull, but didn’t review this. It was a scissor move and should be straight red. He has precious too so he is that sort of player before anyone starts

  • Comment posted by User0471589893, at 14:33 2 Jan 2020

    A really nasty challenge by Ben Mee who is developing a bit of a reputation as "not that type of player". Seems ridiculous that VAR can't look at a challenge that has probably ended Wesley's season but can be used to check if someone's toenail is offside for five minutes.

  • Comment posted by Glad All Over - CPFC, at 13:30 2 Jan 2020

    @32 - it was a hard challenge, but not a fair one. Given his previous, he clearly intended to hurt the player in the tackle. Winning the ball is no excuse for foul play.

    I don’t think he would want to injure the player, but he intended to ‘leave one on him’ and deserves to face some consequences.

  • Comment posted by HarryWinch, at 12:18 2 Jan 2020

    Just as they're starting to look half decent too, always a shame to see a player out injured for such a length of time. January window now open, good time to get a loan player in to see out the season.

  • Comment posted by Aah Tea, at 17:49 2 Jan 2020

    After wiping out McGinn with a serious injury, & an injury to Mings, it’s as if fate is conspiring against the newcomers, now Wesley also out for the season. Let’s hope Grealish receives more than just adequate protection.

    When a fellow professional starts to rack up a reputation for such incidents, some punishment and specific training needs to be applied, with warnings as to future outcomes.

  • Comment posted by thatguy, at 16:59 2 Jan 2020

    The challenge was a leg breaker. Yes he got the ball but the follow through was dangerous. This isn’t the first time Ben Mee has been heavy handed.

    Amazed that it wasn’t picked up for dangerous play.

  • Comment posted by John Jones, at 16:16 2 Jan 2020

    best wishes to both players on a speedy recovery.

  • Comment posted by Mordor Tourism Board, at 13:32 2 Jan 2020

    I hope Wesley recovers quickly. He seems to have a good enough work ethic but isn't really delivering the sort of performances fans hoped for.

    I'm sure he's frustrated he might not get another chance this season to make a mark.

    Heaton is a bigger loss. Villa need him back quickly or relegation places loom.

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