Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has shared some key team news ahead of their Premier League clash with Leeds United on Saturday.
Villa eye Premier League title pressure after Arsenal slips
Villa have been one of the most compelling stories of the Premier League season.
Emery's side sit third in the table, firmly in the mix for Champions League qualification, and have played some of the most attractive football in the division at their best.
Aston Villa v Newcastle United - Villa Park
The title race may belong to Arsenal and Man City, but Villa have refused to be left out of the conversation at the top end of the table.
Saturday's visit of Leeds to Villa Park represents another major opportunity. Arsenal dropped points at Wolves on Wednesday, and a win this weekend would push Emery's men to within five points of the summit.
The chance to apply genuine pressure on the league leaders is there. The motivation could not be clearer.
What makes the moment all the more significant is the context surrounding Leeds. Daniel Farke's side are fighting for their Premier League lives, sitting just above the drop zone and desperate for points of their own.
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He's made his top choice crystal clear.
This is not a fixture Villa can take lightly, no matter how obliging the circumstances might appear. And Emery, to his credit, will know that, no matter how 'jealous' Farke is of the quality in this Villa side.
The Spaniard, however, has a headache or two of his own to navigate going into the game.
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The long-term injury list remains considerable.
Boubacar Kamara, who suffered a knee injury in January's FA Cup tie against Tottenham, is done for the season.
Aston Villa's Boubacar Kamara in action with Chelsea's Moises Caicedo
Club captain John McGinn underwent surgery on a knee problem last month and is not expected back for around two months.
Youri Tielemans is also sidelined with an ankle injury sustained in the win at Newcastle, with a return similarly weeks away.
January signing Alysson remains out, while backup stopper Marco Bizot serves a one-match suspension following his red card against Newcastle in the FA Cup last weekend — a sending-off that contributed to a damaging 3-1 defeat.
The fresh blow came in Emery's pre-match press conference on Friday.
Harvey Elliott, the Liverpool loanee who has had a turbulent time at Villa Park this season, has now joined the casualty list and will not be available for the Leeds game.
Harvey Elliott for Aston Villa
Emery confirmed the news, offering little elaboration beyond the fact that the 22-year-old would not be fit to feature.
“The players who were injured are still being injured – John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans and Alysson.
“Harvey Elliott, as well, is not available for tomorrow. The other players are available.”
There was better news on one front, at least.
Matty Cash, who has missed Villa's last two matches with a knee complaint, has returned to training and is in contention to face Leeds.
The right-back is one of Emery's most consistent performers and his absence has been keenly felt, with Lamare Bogarde — naturally a central midfielder — pressed into service in his place.
"Matty Cash is coming back," Emery confirmed.
"He trained the last two training sessions and he is feeling good, and he is coming back."
It is a welcome return ahead of a game Villa simply cannot afford to drop points in.