Aston Villa have confirmed the latest injury news in the squad and there was a positive update on Diego Carlos ahead of our clash with West Ham this weekend.
Villa will be looking for a third consecutive clean sheet and win on Sunday against the Hammers, having returned to form with victories over Everton and Crystal Palace in the past fortnight.
READ MORE: How Villa could line up vs West Ham: Two key potential Emery changes
It promises to be a difficult assignment though despite West Ham’s current position in the Premier League standings, as they have a lot of quality in the squad and we’ve struggled in our recent meetings.
In turn, Unai Emery would have been hoping for good news on the injury front, and although there was a boost from Carlos, there will be absentees this weekend.
As per the club’s tweet below, Carlos is in contention to be included in the squad this weekend, but the likelihood of him getting any minutes is very small given his lack of playing time during a lengthy rehabilitation process after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon last August.
Nevertheless, to have him back amongst the rest of the group on a matchday will be a big step forward for him, and it’s hoped that he’ll be able to return sooner rather than later.
Meanwhile, Villa added that Leander Dendoncker is a doubt to face West Ham, but will be assessed ahead of the trip to London as he missed out last weekend due to personal reasons, although an injury has also been cited as the reason for his absence too.
However, neither Boubacar Kamara nor Philippe Coutinho will play any part on Sunday, as the pair have been ruled out due to injury, albeit it was added that the former is ‘progressing well’ after being forced off the pitch last weekend with an ankle injury.
In turn, Emery will be missing some key options this weekend, and he faces an important call in midfield in particular, as to who will fill the void left by Kamara’s absence.
With Dendoncker a doubt, it could be either Calum Chambers or John McGinn who deputises in central midfield, while with Coutinho still out too, that will see Emiliano Buendia and Leon Bailey potentially both start with Ollie Watkins leading the line.
Unai Emery on Villa injury news
“Boubacar is not ready for Sunday but he’s going well,” the Villa boss said, as per BirminghamLive: “He was speaking with the doctor this morning and he’s doing well. It’s not too serious. His return depends, two weeks out maybe is long for Kamara himself! He was playing well and is important. We are going to check with each match. He will not be involved on Sunday but, next week, we’ll have a look. But he’s doing OK.
“Leander had a domestic accident and is progressing with us this week but has not been involved in the normal training sessions. Tomorrow we will wait but he will be a doubt.
“Coutinho is still injured and Jed Steer is out for a long time. Diego Carlos is trying every day in his process to be comfortable, taking his fix. He’s a possibility for Sunday to include him in the squad which is good news.”
Updates on Diego, Leander, Boubacar and Philippe ahead of the weekend. ⏳ #WHUAVL pic.twitter.com/OCMQjHR8fZ
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) March 10, 2023