Can Calum Chambers seize his unexpected chance for Aston Villa?

Calum Chambers could be the answer to manager Unai Emery's injury woes. After facing limited playing time this season, the previously out-of-favor defender's return to the starting XI would be a stunning reversal of fortune. With Ezri Konsa and Diego Carlos sidelined, Emery may be forced to give Chambers a shot in Aston Villa's defense.

Injuries have hammered Aston Villa's backline, creating a sudden crisis at the back. Emery now has a tough call: risk an untested defensive pairing or turn to Chambers, a player who has barely registered in his Premier League plans this season. It's a sink-or-swim moment, the kind that makes careers or breaks them.

A chance for Calum Chambers to prove his worth

Since arriving at Villa in January 2022, Chambers has endured a frustrating time under Emery, but football has a funny way of throwing up second chances. Now, faced with limited options, Emery could well throw Chambers a lifeline.

Should the defender grab this opportunity with both hands, his resurgence will mark a major turnaround in his Villa story. However, if he falters, his time at the club could be all but over.

Beyond just plugging a hole, the defensive crisis provides a major test of Emery's managerial skills. This is his chance to show he can guide Villa through rough waters, making tough calls and devising tactics to mitigate the losses of two key players. How he manages this will likely say more about his tenure than any result.