Heavy first debut results in injury for Adama Traore

Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood is worried about Adama Traore's injury and has warned the Spaniard that he is now a "marked man".

The 19-year-old former Barcelona forward's home debut for Villa included a goal in his side's 5-3 extra-time win against Notts County in the League Cup on Tuesday but he hobbled off around the hour-mark with an ankle injury, one which has Sherwood concerned.

The 46-year-old also told the youngster that the rough treatment is something to which he would have to get used in England.

"The negative is that Adama got injured. The only way to stop him at the minute is to kick him. He's a marked man. He will have to get used to it," Sherwood told reporters.

"It doesn't looked good, to be honest. He took a heavy knock - I thought it was a bad tackle. It was his ankle.

"He's a real talent. It's too soon to tell how serious [the injury is] but he's packed in ice and hobbling around."

Awaiting Villa, whose win also came thanks to a Scott Sinclair hat-trick, in the third round of the League Cup are rivals Birmingham City and Sherwood says that the derby is reward for the fans.

"I have never been involved in that game," he said. "Obviously I know now - two minutes after the teams were drawn out together - how important it is.

"If the fans stick with us like they did [on Tuesday], we will give them something to shout about. We owe it to them. The reason we're playing Birmingham is because of what they did tonight.

"We will give them a performance. We won't leave anything on the field."