Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has provided our latest team news ahead of facing Brentford in the Premier League on Wednesday night.
Villa will be looking to end an eight-game winless streak across all competitions, as our recent slump in form has raised concern given the level of performances as well as the disappointing results.
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Plenty of emphasis has been placed on this week as being a vital one in our season as we host Brentford in midweek before Southampton visit Villa Park on Saturday, and so on paper at least, it’s an excellent opportunity to get back on track and winning ways against two sides struggling on the road this year.
Ideally, we’d have a full strength squad to select from as there are a number of players struggling for confidence at the minute, but there will be an anxious wait over Emiliano Martinez, who suffered a finger injury in our defeat to Chelsea this past weekend.
Emery didn’t rule the Villa shot-stopper out, but it remains to be seen if he feels as though he’s capable of featuring, or if the hand issue is going to prevent him from playing to his usual level.
“We are going to train this afternoon and I don’t know how he’s going to feel,” the Villa boss told the media at his pre-match press conference, as per VillaTV. “It depends on the training today.
“He could be for tomorrow or not. I don’t know now.”
Meanwhile, Emery went on to provide an update on both Amadou Onana and Jacob Ramsey who have been sidelined in recent weeks, but there was mixed news on the pair.
Onana is said to be making progress but is unlikely to be fit enough to feature in midweek, but that does suggest that he will be back at Emery’s disposal sooner rather than later.
In contrast, the Villa boss added that Ramsey is expected to miss the next two to three weeks still with his hamstring injury, and so it’s hoped that he completes his recovery without any setbacks that might prolong his spell out.
Villa’s full focus though will be on Brentford and getting three points on Wednesday, as it’s imperative that we not only rediscover some form, but also put on a performance to rebuild confidence and belief after a difficult month or so.