Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has provided our latest team news ahead of our encounter with Manchester City on Wednesday night.
Villa host the Premier League champions after salvaging a point at Bournemouth this past weekend, and with our impressive home form in mind, there is hope that we can produce a shock at Villa Park and secure all three points.
READ MORE: Absence of key Villa man crucial as alternative combination lacks balance
Given the quality and experience in their squad though coupled with the influence of Pep Guardiola, it promises to be a difficult challenge, one that we could do with having as close to a fully-fit squad as possible for.
Long-term absentees Tyrone Mings and Emiliano Buendia remain sidelined, but it had been hoped that everyone came through the meeting with Bournemouth on Sunday without any fresh issues.
Emery has conceded that there are individuals with knocks and small issues, as is to be expected to an extent over the course of a gruelling schedule, but the Villa boss is hopeful that everyone will be available for the midweek clash.
“We played on Thursday, on Sunday, we’re going to play tomorrow, we play on Saturday again at home,” he told the media, as per VillaTV. “Every day is very important, how the players are recovering after the last match.
“I can’t know today how we’ll be tomorrow, the players. We’re going to meet tomorrow morning and we’re going to decide.
“I know some players are tired, or have small pain, but I think tomorrow the players are going to be available and ready because every player wants to play matches like that, at home.
“But I’m going to decide as well trying to be responsible with my choice about the players.”
Meanwhile, there is a vital boost in midfield for Villa, as Boubacar Kamara returns from his one-game suspension and is expected to come straight back into the line-up.
The Frenchman’s influence was undoubtedly missed on Sunday, not only in terms of what he brings as an individual with his defensive qualities and technical ability, but he also contributes to an important balance in the team alongside Douglas Luiz in the heart of the XI.
In turn, it’s a significant factor that he returns, and it’s hoped that Emery can put out his strongest available XI, albeit it remains to be seen how he balances it with Arsenal visiting Villa Park on Saturday evening in another big test.
