Aston Villa players celebrate after Ollie Watkins scored their second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in London, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
In the second leg of their quarterfinal UEFA Europa Conference League match against Lille at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Aston Villa leads the French team by a slender 2-1.
Ollie Watkins and John McGinn’s goals in either half on Thursday gave them a two-goal lead, but Bafode Diakite’s goal in the 86th minute makes the margin tenuous. Villa will currently take on Olympiacos, who have a 3-2 advantage over Fenerbahce after the first leg.
In the Premier League on Sunday, Aston Villa overcame Arsenal to revive their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League. The Villains moved three points clear of Spurs and back into the top four thanks to goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins.
Lille, Villa’s opponents, had a free weekend, therefore there’s a mystery around which team is more prepared than the other. Before kickoff, here are the most recent injury and team updates.
News about the Aston Villa team
Alex Moreno took Nicolo Zaniolo’s place in the 79th minute. Although it appeared that the Argentine had taken a hit, Unai Emery chose not to talk about it. On Wednesday, the manager might deliver an update.
Four Villa players are officially out of the lineup on Thursday. Following knee surgery, Boubacar Kamara is no longer in the field. He will be sidelined until October after suffering an ACL injury against Manchester United in February.
Tyrone Mings and Emi Buendia both sustained knee injuries in August, and both are nearing the end of their recuperation. Although neither player is anticipated to appear for Villa this season, they are practicing with the ball at Bodymoor Heath and will be prepared for the preseason.
Another player who won’t be playing this term is Jacob Ramsey. His toe ailment is probably what ended his campaign. For Ramsey, this has been a trying season.
Tyrone Mings and Emi Buendia both sustained knee injuries in August, and both are nearing the end of their recuperation. Although neither player is anticipated to appear for Villa this season, they are practicing with the ball at Bodymoor Heath and will be prepared for the preseason.
Another player who won’t be playing this term is Jacob Ramsey. His toe ailment is probably what ended his campaign. For Ramsey, this has been a trying season.
center-back Additionally healthy enough to be listed on the bench was Clement Lenglet. Despite missing the first leg due to a “small injury,” he is anticipated to travel with the team.
Tyrone Mings, Emi Buendia, Jacob Ramsey, and Boubacar Kamara are out. Nicolo Zaniolo is in doubt.
Andrej Ilic’s absence has been verified. In February, on just his second start since joining from Valerenga, he suffered a fracture to his fibula.
After hurting his hamstring during practice, former Man United midfielder Angel Gomes was doubtful going into last week’s match, but he was able to play for 12 minutes. Lille will have had more time to heal because he did not play over the weekend.
After undergoing surgery in January, former Barcelona centre back Samuel Umtiti hasn’t participated in a match since the middle of January. His final appearance in a team on game day occurred in late January.
Another player sidelined by injury is Rafael Fernandes. Due to a muscle ailment, Fernandes has not yet made his new club debut. On Thursday, Tiago Morais was listed as one of the substitutes. His last game was against Le Havre in mid-February because he has been recovering from a hamstring injury.
Samuel Umtiti, Rafael Fernandes, and Andrej Ilic are out.
