Aston Villa have provided the latest injury news on the squad, and it’s mostly positive for boss Unai Emery.
Villa are preparing to face Southampton on Saturday as we look to build on an impressive start under the Spaniard, having won four of our six Premier League games since he took charge.
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It will be important for him to have as close to a fully-fit squad as possible sooner rather than later, giving him crucial options and different ways to approach games to get the best result.
As per the club’s latest fitness update, both Ollie Watkins and Matty Cash are likely to be available to face Southampton, and given their importance and involvement under Emery, it will be a vital double boost to have them both involved.
Cash limped off in our FA Cup defeat to Stevenage with an apparent groin problem, while Watkins was forced off in the first half of our Premier League win over Leeds Utd last Friday night with an ankle issue.
Particularly with Danny Ings nearing an exit, as per The Telegraph, getting Watkins back will be crucial as we’re short of options in that department currently, while Cash gives us another choice at right-back, albeit Ashley Young has continued to impress when given the nod.
Meanwhile, Emery also provided an update on long-term absentee Diego Carlos, and revealed that the Brazilian defender is finally back working on the grass, albeit away from the rest of the group still.
“Ludwig Augustinsson is ready, Lucas Digne is out, Matty Cash is ok as well and Ollie Watkins has trained normally yesterday and today. He will be ready for Saturday,” he told the media, as per Villa TV. “Diego Carlos is still working alone but he is on the pitch. He’s progressing very well.
“John McGinn still has one or two weeks more until he starts training with us. I think he will be with us for the next match against Leicester.”
That is major progress for the 29-year-old though after he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in August last year, and so it’s hoped that he continues to step up his recovery in the coming weeks and closes in on a return to action.
John McGinn is also making progress as it’s added by Emery that he should be back in full training in the next week or two after picking up a hamstring injury on New Year’s Day, and so it’s hoped that he can be in contention to face Leicester City on February 4.
Villa offered less detail on Lucas Digne besides confirming that he’s ruled out this weekend with the shoulder injury he sustained against Leeds, but we do have cover at left-back behind Alex Moreno, as Ludwig Augustinsson is available again.
Overall, it’s positive for Villa and Emery, as it’s hoped that we’ll be close to full strength in the coming weeks.