Aston Villa could be without several important players for their crunch clash at Arsenal.placeholder image
Aston Villa could be without several important players for their crunch clash at Arsenal. | Getty Images
Aston Villa face one of the biggest matches of their season at Arsenal on Tuesday night
Aston Villa approach what could be a defining night in their season on Tuesday, as Unai Emery’s side travel to the Emirates to face the Spaniard’s former club Arsenal with a massive three points in the Premier League title race up for grabs.
Both sides will be without key players for the clash, as two Spanish managers in Emery and Mikel Arteta prepare to do battle with only one club able to see their winning run continue.
The West Midlands outfit came out on top earlier this month when the two clubs did battle at Villa Park and will hope for similar heroics this time around from the likes of free-scoring Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins, the match-winner last time out at Chelsea.
Arsenal injury news ahead of Aston Villa clash
Hosts Arsenal could be without as many as six players for the contest, as Arteta’s resources and much-heralded squad depth are put to the test once again. Defensive leader Gabriel is not believed to be amongst those absent, though, as the Brazilian made a surprise return from the bench against Brighton and could be in contention to start on Tuesday.
The Gunners are nevertheless set to be without several defensive options, with both full-backs Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber doubts for the game. The Italian was injured during the warm-up on Saturday, whilst Timber was also out against the Seagulls due to a knock sustained in the EFL Cup. The pair will both be assessed.
Kai Havertz is also a doubt to face Villa, as the German comes ever closer to a return to action following a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a knee injury. He could be judged fit enough for a place amongst the substitutes.
The Gunners will certainly be without Ben White (thigh) and Cristhian Mosquera (ankle), though, with both players aiming to return in January, whilst teenager Max Dowman is also suffering from an ankle problem and is not expected back until the New Year.
Aston Villa team and injury news to face the Gunners
For Aston Villa, manager Emery will have a selection headache after two major blows for his side ahead of the crunch encounter with the Gunners.
Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara, both regular starters for the Villans, are both suspended after the pair picked up their fifth yellow cards of the season at Chelsea last time out to result in a one-match ban. Amidst Villa’s PSR-induced problems experienced over the summer, Emery could see his squad stretched thin by the double blow.
Villa will also be without three players due to injury, including long-term absentees Tyrone Mings and Ross Barkley, both of whom are still recovering from thigh and knee injuries respectively. Mings will aim to return to action in January, while Barkley might be out for a little longer until February 2026.
Liverpool loanee Harvey Elliott is a doubt for the match after reportedly missing training recently with illness, though the 22-year-old has become somewhat exiled by Emery following a series of snubs from the matchday squad. Finally, Villa will be without forward Evann Guessand, who is away representing the Ivory Coast at AFCON.
Continue Reading