Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has delivered a promising update on the fitness of two key defenders ahead of his side's upcoming Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace.
Defensive Duo Nearing Return
Pau Torres and Tyrone Mings will be assessed after a training session this afternoon to determine their availability for the trip to Selhurst Park. Both left-sided centre-backs have been absent through injury, forcing Emery to utilise other options like Victor Lindelof in recent weeks.
Mings has not played since suffering a hamstring injury during Villa's visit to Anfield to face Liverpool at the start of November. Torres, meanwhile, has missed the last six matches across all competitions after being substituted in the second half of the encounter with Arsenal.
Emery's Press Conference Verdict
Speaking to the media, Emery confirmed the pair are closing in on a comeback. "We are training now, after the press conference. We will see how the players are after the match we played on Saturday," the Villa boss stated.
"Pau and Tyrone are close. We are going to train now, and I don't know if they will be available or not." Emery also confirmed the continued absence of midfielder Ross Barkley, who is recovering from a knee issue, and forward Evann Guessand, who is on international duty with Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Context for the Palace Encounter
Villa head to London looking to build on their victory over Nottingham Forest last Saturday, which ended a brief stumble after their impressive 11-match winning run was halted by Arsenal. Their opponents, Crystal Palace, are in a difficult patch of form.
The Eagles are winless in their last seven matches across all competitions and have failed to win any of their last six outings at Selhurst Park. However, history strongly favours the hosts in this particular fixture.
Palace have won nine of their 13 Premier League home games against Aston Villa, including six of the last seven and the last three consecutively. This record represents their highest number of home wins against any single opponent in the competition.
Emery will be hoping the potential return of Torres and Mings can help his side overturn that poor historical record and secure a vital three points as the season enters a critical phase.
