Aston Villa host Bologna in the Europa League on Thursday night, and Unai Emery has reportedly received a double injury boost ahead of the encounter.
It’s been a difficult start to the season for Villa as we’re without a win across all competitions in six games, and our struggles in front of goal have continued despite ending our goal drought last week.
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Coupled with Monchi’s departure, it’s arguably been an unsettling period on and off the pitch in recent weeks, and so it’s imperative that we get back to winning ways as soon as possible to lift the mood around the club and build confidence.
Naturally, it’s hoped that a European night at Villa Park will spark that turn in form, but Bologna will no doubt be a difficult challenge having crossed paths with the Serie A side last year in the Champions League.
There is seemingly positive news on the injury front though, as having failed to feature at all so far this season, Andres Garcia could possibly be involved in midweek and make his comeback, while Ross Barkley could be nearing a return to action too.
According to BirminghamLive, both players were pictured in training on Wednesday at Bodymoor Heath, raising hope that they will be available for selection in the coming week, with Barkley not included in our Europa League squad and so instead targeting our meeting with Fulham this weekend instead.
It’s unclear at this stage if Garcia will be included in the matchday squad by Emery as weeks have gone by waiting for his involvement to bolster our numbers and add more depth and quality to the group, but it’s certainly a promising development as we need alternative options in each position this year to compete across multiple fronts and put pressure on those in the line-up to perform.
Matty Cash will likely continue at right-back regardless of Garcia’s return as the latter will be lacking match fitness, and while Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana are currently sidelined by injury, we could certainly do with their presence as alternative tactical solutions in the deeper midfield pivot right now.
Villa will be expected to field a strong XI against Bologna given our need to end our winless streak and make a positive start in the competition, and it’s hoped they will do enough to get the desired result.
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