Aston Villa confirm seven absentees ahead of Tottenham clash as Emery provides injury update
Aston Villa will have Matty Cash and Joao Gomes available for this weekend’s Premier League meeting with Tottenham, but Unai Emery has confirmed that the visitors will be without seven players.
Both clubs have endured difficult starts to the new campaign, and Villa’s situation has been made even tougher by a growing injury list.
Ian Maatsen became the latest player to join the treatment room after suffering an ankle problem during Villa’s 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest last weekend.
Emery has now revealed the full extent of his side’s current injury problems.
“We have so many players injured, so it is difficult to mention everyone,” the Villa boss explained.
“Marco Bizot is out, [Amadou] Onana is out, [Modou Keba] Cisse is out. Pau [Torres] and Maatsen are out. [Leon] Goretzka is out. [Brian] Madjo is out.”
Despite their injury problems, Villa will head to north London having enjoyed some positive results in cup competitions.
They remain without a Premier League victory this season, matching Tottenham’s record, but they secured a midweek Carabao Cup win against Coventry City.
Villa have also already opened their Champions League campaign with a 3-2 away victory over Club Brugge. Gomes played a key role in that match by providing an assist and is now available for Premier League selection again.
The Brazilian midfielder has not featured in the league since the opening day, when he was sent off during Villa’s heavy 4-0 defeat to Brighton after being dismissed for violent conduct.
Cash is also expected to return to the starting squad at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The right-back was left on the bench throughout the midweek victory over Coventry and is likely to feature against Spurs, although he has regularly been the target of boos when playing in north London.
Tottenham have had their own injury concerns, although Roberto De Zerbi received a significant boost before the game.
Pedro Porro, Sandro Tonali and James Maddison have all been declared available, while Dejan Kulusevski continues to work on rebuilding his fitness following his long-term absence.
De Zerbi confirmed on Friday that the trio are ready to be considered for selection.
“Porro, Tonali, Maddison, all are available to play. Normally, we have to understand the situation in terms of physical condition, but all of them are ready,” he said.
Tottenham and Villa last met in May, when Spurs claimed a 2-1 victory at Villa Park in a result that proved important in their battle to avoid relegation.
Villa did enjoy success against Tottenham in north London last season, however, winning twice at N17, including an FA Cup victory.
De Zerbi is expecting another difficult encounter and has spoken highly of Emery’s credentials as a manager.
“They have one of the best coaches in the world,” De Zerbi said.
“They’ve changed many players like us. They brought younger, but very good players, potential very good players. Their style is clear, even though they’ve changed many players.
“So it’s a tough game for us. I think it’s a tough game also for them.”
