The most recent team news, injury updates, and expected starting lineup as Aston Villa gears up to take on Wolves in the Premier League, with Moussa Diaby a significant question mark.
Aston Villa has had a good week thus far, defeating Brighton & Hove Albion 6-1 last Saturday and earning a point against Bosnian team Zrinjski Mostar in Europa Conference League group play. However, Unai Emery is not in the best of moods as they prepare to travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.
Two key players suffered injuries during the win over the Seagulls, and while they are not anticipated to be out for an extended period of time, there is a chance that they won’t be able to play at Molineux. With several players expected to be on the treatment table for the foreseeable future, Emery may have to make do with a smaller roster than he’d prefer.
Before the game against Wolves, let’s compile the most recent team news and injury updates and attempt to forecast the starting lineup for the Premier League matchup.
Diego Carlos is set to be available for 82 minutes against Zrinjski on Thursday night after recovering from a slight knock, so Villa shouldn’t have any new injury issues in their defence.Alex Moreno is unlikely to play as he returns to full fitness following a serious injury of his own; the Spanish full-back is back in training, though, so should be ready to play in the near future. Assuming no additional injuries are discovered in the wake of the European match, Emery will have everyone except for long-term absentee Tyrone Mings available.
Although Emery has since stressed that it was “hopefully not important,” French defensive midfielder Boubacar Kamara did miss Thursday night’s game and is questionable for Sunday after suffering what Villa believe to be a minor muscular injury late in the thumping of Brighton.
As he continues to recuperate from a metatarsal injury incurred while playing for England’s Under-21 team during the summer, Jacob Ramsey is also not expected to start. However, he was able to play against Brighton for just over 30 minutes before being rested for the midweek match. Leon Bailey started on Thursday night, suggesting that he has fully recovered from a slight injury, although Tim Iroegbunam and Emiliano Buenda remain out indefinitely.
Moussa Diaby, who was a record acquisition for Villa and was rested for the game against Zrinjski after leaving with an injury against Brighton, is a major question mark for that team’s offence. Emery later admitted that he felt “some pain,” but he felt that it wasn’t “relevant for the next games.” Emery’s pre-game press conference will likely provide an update, but early indications are that the Frenchman will be able to participate in at least some capacity in the game versus Wolves.
