Bailey, McGinn, Target – Dean Smith provides Aston Villa fitness update after Everton win

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Dean Smith insists Aston Villa followed protocols regarding replacing John McGinn for a concussion during their 3-0 win over Everton.

Smith swept the Toffees away in the second half with Matty Cash and Leon Bailey scoring, with the latter also forced into an own goal by Lucas Digne.

By that point, McGinn had been replaced by Marvelous Nakamba after he complained of feeling dizzy.

Smith was asked about the circumstances in his post-match interview with Sky Sports, saying: “He’s OK, I think it was the first corner where Tyrone was. [Mings] I got the head.

“He got hit in the head, I think he hit his head with Kane and he felt a little groggy. He told me before, in the first break ‘If I get more dizzy, I’m going to have to scream at you.'”

READ MORE: All Aston Villa fans score the same Jack Grealish point as a £25m man stuns Everton.

“He got another hit, he felt fine to keep going. Then he ran again about 25 minutes later, there was a break in the game, he came, and that’s when he alerted me about it and I told the doctor, that’s why we did it next.

“Player guides you, he didn’t show concussion symptoms as soon as he did that. Just a hit to the head, there was another hit later that he definitely told us.”

Smith also reduced concerns about Bailey’s fitness. The Jamaican stayed on the field for just 21 minutes – replacing Matt Targett, having a hand in two goals and then being replaced by Ashley Young.

READ MORE: Aston Villa player ratings: Leon Bailey lights up Villa Park as Cash scores his first against Everton

“It’s really special,” Smith said of Bailey’s show. “He’s a really good player and that’s why we got him here at the football club but on top of that he’s a really good player too, the boys love him in the dressing room.

“He is really humble and a really good person. We know he will be a special talent for us.

“Hopefully it was just a tight thigh, that’s what he told the doctors, so there’s no need to risk it at the time. Hopefully we caught it in time and it’s a tight quad.”

Matt Targett felt a snatcher hit in the first half before leaving for Bailey an hour later.

Read more: Why Aston Villa suffered John McGinn’s setback in Premier League clash with Everton For more Aston Villa news, analysis and opinions sign up for our free daily newsletter here.

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