Aston Villa have received a double boost ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur, as Matty Cash and Joao Gomes look set to return to the lineup.
Cash has not featured since Villa’s 0-0 draw with Hull City as he nursed a muscle problem, missing the games against Club Brugge, Nottingham Forest and Coventry City as a result.
Gomes was also held out of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup victory as a precaution and has been suspended for the last three Premier League games due to a three-match ban for a straight red card he received on his debut against Brighton back in August.
However, it seems the pair should be available from the start for this weekend’s game.
When asked about team news at his press conference on Friday, Villa boss Unai Emery said: “We have so many players injured it’s difficult to mention everyone”.
He listed Marco Bizot, Amadou Onana, Modou Keba Cisse, Pau Torres, Ian Maatsen, Leon Goretzka, Brian Madjo as the players who would miss out, and did not mention Cash or Gomes
On the pair, he said: “Joao Gomes and (Matty) Cash at the beginning, yes (will be available), but we will see. They are more or less with the group but I must be sure they are 100% for tomorrow”.
That was not full confirmation that Gomes and Cash will start, but barring any late twists, it would appear they will be ready.
Gomes should start alongside Kamara, as he seems the preferred choice over alternatives like Ross Barkley and Lamare Bogarde, with Goretzka yet to make an appearance for Villa as he nurses a knee injury which will keep him out until after the international break.
After a horrific debut against Brighton, Gomes was able to put it behind him versus Brugge in the Champions League, putting in a strong performance and providing an assist. He will be important to Villa’s midfield this season and Emery will be glad to have him back.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has deputised in Cash’s absence, starting the last three games as he acclimates to Emery’s system. A spell in the starting lineup will no doubt have helped his adaptation tremendously, but now he has competition again with Cash returning to fitness.
That means for the first time since Wan-Bissaka joined, Emery will have to make a real decision on who he prefers to start between the two options.
Based on experience, it would make sense for Cash to come straight back in, but Wan-Bissaka could get the nod if Emery feels he is a better fit for the gameplan he is looking to deploy against Spurs.
Mathys Tel has mostly started on the left wing this season for Tottenham, although Omar Marmoush got the start there against Everton last week. The matchup on that side could also impact Emery’s decision on who to start.
Elsewhere, Emery will have to make a decision at centre-back in terms of who starts alongside Victor Lindelof.
Tyrone Mings would give Villa the left-footed option they lost due to Torres’ injury, but Taylor Harwood-Bellis played well on his debut against Coventry and better replicates the progressive passing ability of Torres. Lindelof has shown he can play on the left side before, so could slide over.
Further upfield, Ibrahim Mbaye could be pushing to make his first Premier League start after impressing on Wednesday night, playing 65 minutes and providing an assist in Villa’s Carabao Cup victory.
If he starts, it would likely mean John McGinn playing as the number 10 with George Hemmings keeping his place on the left and Emi Buendia being dropped to the bench. Whether Emery feels Mbaye is ready remains to be seen.
Aston Villa Predicted lineup vs Tottenham: Suzuki, Cash, Lindelof, Mings, Ruggeri, Kamara, Gomes, McGinn, Buendia, Hemmings, Jackson.
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