Unai Emery has offered a cautious injury update for his Aston Villa squad as they prepare for their upcoming Premier League fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion. The Villa manager confirmed he is dealing with "some small issues" within the team ahead of Wednesday's crucial match.
Emery's Cautious Approach to Squad Fitness
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Emery was deliberately reserved when discussing the fitness of his players. "I can't speak about the injured players because I need to check with the doctor for some small issues," the Spanish tactician explained. He added, "Normally, the players who were out are out, and we have enough players to compete and prepare the game."
Confirmed Absences and Recovery Timelines
The Villa boss confirmed that he does not anticipate any players returning to the squad for the Brighton encounter. The club remains without their influential midfield trio:
- John McGinn: The Scottish international is expected to be sidelined for approximately three more weeks as he continues his rehabilitation.
- Youri Tielemans: The Belgian midfielder may not return until after the March international break, extending his absence from the first team.
- Boubacar Kamara: In the most serious case, the French midfielder has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after sustaining a significant knee injury during Villa's FA Cup third-round victory at Tottenham Hotspur last month.
Additionally, January signing Alysson has yet to feature in a matchday squad, while Andres Garcia continues to manage a recent hamstring problem.
Historical Context and Recent Form
Aston Villa approach this fixture with a strong historical record against their south coast opponents. The Midlands club has secured victory in seven of their last nine Premier League meetings with Brighton. Villa will be aiming to complete the league double over the Seagulls for the third consecutive season, having achieved this feat in both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 campaigns.
However, Emery's side have experienced mixed fortunes in midweek Premier League fixtures, winning just two of their last seven such matches. Notably, both of those victories came against Brighton, including a comprehensive 3-0 triumph at Villa Park in April of last season.
Squad Depth and Selection Considerations
Despite the confirmed absences, Emery expressed confidence in the depth of his squad. The manager's comments suggest he believes he has sufficient quality within the group to field a competitive team against Roberto De Zerbi's Brighton side. This match represents an important opportunity for Villa to maintain their momentum in the Premier League as they navigate this period of squad disruption.
The precise nature of the "small issues" mentioned by Emery remains undisclosed, leaving some uncertainty about potential last-minute selection dilemmas. Supporters will be hoping these minor concerns do not develop into more significant problems as the season progresses.
