AFCON returns this year and will have an impact on the new Premier League season
Comments
Sport
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery(Image: Getty Images)
Aston Villa are one of the few clubs who might not be impacted by the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) next season.
The tournament returns later this year and will run from December 21 to January 18. If a player is called up to represent their nation, their club will have to manage without them for several fixtures.
Liverpool, for example, will be without Mo Salah for matches against Tottenham, Wolves, and Leeds United. He could also miss games against Fulham, Arsenal, and Burnley.
Unless Villa sign a player this summer who is likely to be called up for AFCON, they won't need to worry about losing players during that period.
However, some of Villa’s opponents could be without key players. With the tournament starting on December 21, Manchester United are likely to be missing several players when they visit Villa Park on December 20. In their current squad, goalkeeper André Onana, Noussair Mazraoui, and Amad Diallo are all expected to feature at AFCON.
There is also a chance youngster Sekou Kone could represent Mali in the tournament, while Chido Obi could be offered the chance to play for Nigeria. If United sign Bryan Mbeumo, the Cameroon international would also likely be called up.
Article continues below
A week before facing United, Villa travel to West Ham. That match may also be affected if Ghana call up Mohammed Kudus early - he would be a significant loss for Graham Potter's side, provided he remains at the club.
Villa face Chelsea and Arsenal away during the group stage of AFCON, meaning Chelsea’s Senegal international Nicolas Jackson and Arsenal’s Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey would be unavailable for those matches.
Just four days after the group stage concludes, Villa host Nottingham Forest, who could be without Ola Aina and Ibrahim Sangaré. Aina’s Nigeria and Sangaré’s Ivory Coast are both tipped to make deep runs in the tournament.
The round of 16 ends on January 6, just one day before Villa are scheduled to play Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Villa fans may find themselves supporting Senegal’s progress in the tournament - if they go far, Ismaïla Sarr wouldn’t be available to face them.
The Palace winger had seven goal involvements (five goals, two assists) against Villa last season; only Bruno Fernandes had more against a single Premier League team (eight against Leicester City). Palace would also be without Cheick Doucouré if Mali reach the quarter-finals.
Article continues below
Finally, Villa play Everton on January 17, just a week after the quarter-finals. Any players whose nations reach the semi-finals will miss that fixture, as the third-place play-off and final take place on January 17 and 18. For Everton to be without Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye, Senegal would need to advance to the semi-finals.
What should Villa's main objective be next season? Tell us here