Emery has provided some bad news for Villaplaceholder image
Emery has provided some bad news for Villa | Getty Images
Unai Emery has provided an Aston Villa fitness update ahead of his side’s clash with Chelsea.
Villa have struggled of late, dropping to fourth in the table despite once having a strong grip on third place. They are only goal difference behind Manchester United, but they have been dragged into the top four race.
Liverpool are just three points behind, while Chelsea are six points behind having been in poor form over recent weeks, adding to that disappointing form with a defeat to Arsenal over the weekend.
Chelsea head to Villa Park knowing they likely cannot afford to lose, given they would likely fall nine points behind in the top four race, although it is true that fifth could well become an additional Champions League spot this season.
For Villa, this is a chance to take a big step towards a top four finish, and indeed to damage a rival’s hopes in the process. But they will remain without skipper John McGinn, who has been dealing with a knee injury over recent weeks.
Confirming that the Scot is not ready to return as hoped, Emery said: “We need other leaders. John McGinn, of course, is very important, but he’s not available for tomorrow.
“He’s progressively getting better, but we have enough players to keep our consistency, to get our performance, and to feel comfortable with the players we have. I believe, of course, even when we are not achieving it, I continue believing in them.”
Douglas Luiz and Andre Onana started in the holding roles last time out, but that was a derby defeat to bottom club Wolves, so there could be changes made by Emery.
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