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Injury will force Aston Villa into significant defensive reshuffle

Villa boss Unai Emery has been left with a major defensive headache after Matteo Ruggeri suffered a hamstring injury in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Brentford.

The Italy international will undergo a scan on Sunday to determine the extent of the problem which forced him off at half-time.

In the meantime, Emery has been left with no senior left-backs available with Ian Maatsen also sidelined with an ankle injury sustained last month.

Villa face a hectic schedule, with Saturday’s match their first of nine in 29 days.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who typically plays as a right-back, filled in at left-back during the second half against the Bees and is in line to start Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Fenerbahce.

Emery said: “Aaron has played sometimes in that position before.

“Today for him was a practice as well to play for us there. I think he did well.

“Normally he is going to continue playing for us on the left-side as a full-back.

“Then we have Lamare Bogarde if we need on the full-back right side.

“I will try to keep our structure without our two left-footed full-backs in Maatsen and Ruggeri, using other options to practice and play without changing anything.”

Teenage midfielder George Hemmings also missed Saturday’s match with a minor knee injury.

Hemmings, who started Villa’s first four league matches this season, could be back for the midweek European game.

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