Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has provided our latest team news ahead of our FA Cup replay with Chelsea at Villa Park on Wednesday night.
Having secured an impressive 5-0 win over Sheffield Utd last weekend, there was concern after Ezri Konsa was forced off in the 60th minute following a collision with the post.
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The Villa defender was attempting to convert a goalscoring opportunity but ultimately was left in visible pain as he held his knee area, but having walked off the pitch and with Emery seemingly allying fears after the game initially, it didn’t appear to be a significant problem.
However, the Villa boss has now confirmed that Konsa will face a spell on the sidelines due to a knee sprain, with Lucas Digne, Jhon Duran and long-term absentees Tyrone Mings and Emiliano Buendia also ruled out.
“Ezri is injured,”he told the media, as per VillaTV. “He has a knee sprain and is not going to be available. I don’t know, three or four weeks more or less.
“Lucas Digne is progressing very well but he is not available tomorrow.
“Pau Torres has started training with the group and he is going to be on the bench tomorrow. But Jhon Durán is still injured.”
It’s a blow to lose Konsa given how impressive and reliable he has been again so far this season, and there is no doubt that he is an integral figure in Emery’s defensive plans with both his quality and versatility.
Reports had suggested that he could be ruled out for longer, and so it’s slightly better than expected news that he will hopefully be absent for less than a month, but his absence will still certainly be felt given how important he is for us at the back.
That said, it’s a huge boost to have Pau Torres closing in on a comeback, as if he does indeed make the bench in midweek, it’s hoped that he’ll be fit enough to start against Man Utd at the weekend.
Diego Carlos will undoubtedly have a major role to play in Konsa’s absence in filling that void on the right side of the centre-half partnership, while Matty Cash will need to step up too at right-back with youngster Kaine Kesler-Hayden perhaps getting an opportunity to impress as well.
Villa have suffered injuries throughout this season and it has been a frustration for us as there is always a feeling of ‘what if’ we had been at full strength. Having done pretty well in coping with those setbacks though, it’s hoped it’s no different with Konsa’s absence now either.