Aston Villa manager Unai Emery spoke to the media on Tuesday ahead of the Champions League clash with Fenerbahce at Villa Park, and provided some important injury updates.
It seems Leon Goretzka will finally make a matchday squad for the first time since signing for Villa nearly seven weeks ago. Emery confirmed he will be in the squad for Wednesday’s game.
The experienced midfielder has been working his way back from a knee injury he sustained in training, but could now be in line to make his debut for the club, more likely from the bench than from the start.
John Townley reported Goretzka has been in full training for the last two days after doing so intermittently last week.
Modou Keba Cisse, the 21-year-old centre-back who impressed in preseason, has also returned to training after an injury of his own, although he is not included in Villa’s Champions League squad so will not be involved on Wednesday.
His return to fitness is a boost, but he faces an uphill battle for playing time behind Victor Lindelof and Taylor Harwood-Bellis at right-centre-back moving forward. Perhaps a loan could be on the cards in January if he finds himself on the outside looking in over the coming months.
Emery said he is “not sure how long exactly (it) will be, but (it will be) some weeks, more than one month”.
This leaves Villa in a difficult position at left-back, as their only other senior option in Ian Maatsen has been out since the middle of September after picking up an ankle injury against Nottingham Forest.
On Maatsen, Emery expressed optimism he will be back in action soon, but admitted he will not feature against Fenerbahce.
The manager said: “We have to try to find solutions because Maatsen is not yet available for tomorrow. I think he should be getting better, in a few days, one week or two weeks (he will be) joining us, so (it) is positive”.
In the meantime, it seems Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who is naturally a right-back, will have to deputize, including against the Turkish giants on Wednesday. Wan-Bissaka replaced Ruggeri for the second half of Saturday’s game.
Villa are looking to build on a strong start to their Champions League campaign after defeating Club Brugge 3-2 away from home on matchday one. They are also hoping to register their first home victory of the season after two defeats and a draw in the league at Villa Park so far.
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