Aston Villa manager Unai Emery faces key squad decisions ahead of a crucial Premier League away fixture against Chelsea this weekend, with several players battling for fitness. The Villans travel to Stamford Bridge in formidable form, having secured a 2-1 victory over Manchester United last time out and riding a wave of ten consecutive wins across all competitions. This impressive run has solidified their position in third place, trailing only Arsenal and Manchester City.
Defensive Doubts: Latest on Pau Torres and Tyrone Mings
The heart of Villa's defence presents a concern. Spanish centre-back Pau Torres has missed the last two matches against West Ham and Manchester United. His absence has allowed Victor Lindelof to partner Ezri Konsa. Emery provided a tentative update last week, suggesting Torres could be one to two weeks away from a return, potentially making him a doubt for the Chelsea encounter.
Fellow defender Tyrone Mings remains a longer-term absentee. The 32-year-old, who joined from Bournemouth in 2019 and has made 195 appearances for the club, is recovering from a thigh injury. The club confirmed on 19th December that Mings is "getting better" but is only expected to rejoin the squad in early January, ruling him out of the trip to London.
Midfield Absence: Ross Barkley's Extended Layoff
In midfield, the news on Ross Barkley is less encouraging. The 32-year-old playmaker, signed in 2024, is sidelined with a knee problem and is not anticipated to feature until February at the earliest. Emery confirmed Barkley's injury timeline is "longer" than those of Torres and Mings. His experience and squad depth will be missed as Villa navigate a busy period.
Squad Availability: AFCON, Illness, and Parent Club Rules
Beyond the injury list, other factors influence team selection. Attacker Evann Guessand is currently away at the Africa Cup of Nations with the Ivory Coast. The 24-year-old, who has scored twice in 19 games since his summer move from Nice, is scheduled to return in mid-January.
There is better news regarding Jadon Sancho, who is available again after being ineligible to face his parent club, Manchester United, in the last match. A late check will be required on Harvey Elliott, who missed the United victory due to illness.
Unai Emery's side will hope to maintain their scintillating form despite these selection challenges, in what promises to be a stern test against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
