The latest Aston Villa injury news and potential return dates ahead of their Champions League clash with Fenerbahce
Aston Villa’s tricky start to the 2026/27 Premier League season continued last weekend, as Unai Emery’s side stumbled to a 2-2 draw at home to Brentford. The hosts went a goal down after just ten minutes, but Nicolas Jackson equalised soon after to draw his side level. John McGinn’s deflected effort gave Villa the lead with less than 15 minutes to go, but this time it was the Bees’ turn to hit straight back, netting the final goal of the game soon after.
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Next up, Emery’s men host Fenerbahce in the Champions League on Wednesday night. The opposition boast a strong squad of experienced players, including ex-Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson, veteran striker Romelu Lukaku, as well as ex-Villa loan star Marco Asensio who joined the Turkish side from Real Madrid back in September 2025.
As things stand, Villa are 9th in the Champions League table after one game, having beaten Club Brugge 3-2 in their competition opener last month. As the Villans look to put their Premier League frustrations behind them an excel in Europe once again, here is the latest Aston Villa injury news.
When will Goretzka be back for Aston Villa?
Summer signing Leon Goretzka is yet to make his Aston Villa debutplaceholder image
Summer signing Leon Goretzka is yet to make his Aston Villa debut | Getty Images
Villa had been hopeful that Germany international midfielder Leon Goretzka would be fit after the international break to the extent he could feature against Brentford, but he remains unavailable for selection due to a knee injury. He is, however, back in first-team training, and all being well he could feature from the bench against Newcastle on 17th October.
Meanwhile, summer signing Modou Keba Cisse is set to join first-team training this week, as he’s gradually eased back into action following a knock suffered before the international break. The £4m versatile defender, who can also play further forward in central midfield, may have a little longer to wait than Goretzka, but could potentially play against Man City - amid their ongoing cheating scandal - on October 24th.
Rising star Brian Madjo will be champing at the bit to get back on the field, after excelling during his competitive debut against Paris Saint-Germain back in August. The Luxembourg international, who has switched his international allegiance to England, has been out since then with a foot injury but could be back to face Man City later this month now returned to training.
Ruggeri becomes latest Aston Villa injury victim
Matteo Ruggeri is Villa's latest injury concernplaceholder image
Matteo Ruggeri is Villa's latest injury concern | Getty Images
Attacking midfielder George Hemmings will be out for a few days further as he looks to continue his recovery from a knee injury suffered during the international break with England’s U20s. Matto Ruggeri, meanwhile, suffered a hamstring injury against Brentford, the extent of which remains to be seen.
It’s a serious problem for Villa at left-back right now, with Ruggeri’s injury compounding the issue the side was already facing with Ian Maatsen’s absence. The Netherland’s international was on the receiving end of a horror challenge from Nottingham Forest’s James McAtee last month, and has been out since with an ankle injury. He could potentially be sideled until late November, meaning Aaron Wan-Bissaka will need to fill in on the left.
Lastly, star midfielder Amadou Onana will miss the majority of the season, if not the entirety of it, with a serious knee injury. He suffered the ACL rupture during the World Cup with Belgium last summer, and was forced off the field just 21 minutes into the 4-1 win over the USA that knock out the joint-hosts at the Last 16 stage of the competition.