Aston Villa boss Unai Emery delivers a mixed injury update on two players who could have a key part to play this season.
Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery has delivered a mixed injury update on Leon Bailey and Jaden Philogene.
The West Midlands outfit can be pleased with their start to the new Premier League campaign, accumulating six points from their opening three matches.
On Saturday afternoon, Villa held off Leicester City to prevail by a 2-1 scoreline at the King Power Stadium, their second successive away victory.
As a result, Emery’s side will head into the international break sitting in the top half of the standings, but things have not been going perfectly for the Spaniard.
© Imago
During the closing hours of the transfer window, Lutsharel Geertruida spurned Villa’s advance to sign for RB Leipzig, leaving Emery short of experienced options at right-back and in the middle of his backline.
At the same time as Matty Cash being sidelined with a hamstring injury, the pair of Bailey and Philogene have also sustained issues in recent days.
What has Emery said on Bailey, Philogene?
The most notable issue is involving Bailey, who was forced off during the early stages of the game with the Foxes with a hamstring injury.
Meanwhile, new signing Philogene was not available to take his place in the squad having sustained a knock during training earlier in the week.
Speaking to reports on Saturday evening, as quoted by the Birmingham Mail, Emery said: “He [Philogene] had a kick on Wednesday and he didn’t train, but we were thinking progressively that he could be available for today. In the end, he told us he couldn’t play with the same pain.”
On Bailey, he added: “It is hamstring. I don’t know exactly how bad his injury is. He came off the pitch with an injury.
“Hopefully when we come back again Jaden could be available again to play, Leon maybe not.”
The dates and times for our @ChampionsLeague fixtures are officially set! 🤩#ChampionsLeague || #UpTheVilla pic.twitter.com/V1I8HBmo96
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) August 31, 2024
What next for Villa?
Emery will be eager to welcome Bailey back to the fold as soon as possible courtesy of the run of games that Villa have after the international break.
After playing host to Everton in the Premier League on September 14, they face a trip to Switzerland to play Young Boys three days later as they begin their Champions League schedule.
Meetings with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Wycombe Wanderers and Ipswich Town are also due to be played before the end of September.
No Data Analysis info