Dean Smith confirms Tammy Abraham will miss Sunday’s clash against Leeds

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Tammy Abraham will not return from injury in time to make the Aston Villa side to face Leeds United on Sunday, according to the club’s official website.

Dean Smith has confirmed he will be without his top scorer for the trip to Elland Road between two sides who look set to be in the top six come the end of the season.

Smith said: “Tammy won’t play on Sunday. But Axel is available. He’s trained the last two days. He’s fine. James Chester is back training now. Kortney Hause won’t be ready for Sunday but will probably be ready for the Norwich game.

“Lovre Kalinic should start training on Monday. He should be available for Norwich and the Play-Offs so, again, yet more strength and depth for us.”

Abraham is a key man for Villa but they need him fit and firing for the play-offs so there would be no point to rushing him back until he is fully fit again.

But there’s no doubt that his absence is a big blow to Villa’s chances of extending their record-breaking winning run to 11 this weekend, because Abraham is their biggest goal threat by far.

Leeds will be looking to get on back after a calamitous Easter period, and without having to worry about a hotshot like Abraham at one end, they could be emboldened to swarm forward and get that vital win.