Three Premier League giants have received an unexpected squad boost ahead of their festive fixtures against high-flying Aston Villa, thanks to a late change for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.
Late Call-Up Depletes Villa Attack
Aston Villa winger Evann Guessand has received a late summons to join the Ivory Coast squad for AFCON 2025 after an injury to striker Sebastien Haller. The Ivorian Football Federation confirmed the call-up, with Guessand moving from the reserve list to the main tournament squad just days before the competition begins in Morocco.
The tournament is scheduled to run from this weekend until January 18, with the final set for the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. Host nation Morocco open the event against Comoros on Sunday.
Fixture Crunch Against Top Six Opposition
Villa's loss is a direct gain for their next three opponents, all of whom are chasing them in the table. Unai Emery's side, currently sitting third, face a demanding run of games against top-six rivals.
Their schedule is as follows:
- Sunday: Manchester United at Villa Park
- Post-Christmas: Away to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge
- Before New Year: Away to Arsenal in London
Guessand, a £30 million summer signing from Nice, has scored two goals in 18 appearances this season, both coming in the Europa League. His absence, though not prolific in the league, removes a tactical option for Emery as Villa seek to extend a nine-game winning streak across all competitions.
Contrasting AFCON Impact on Rivals
The AFCON tournament presents a mixed picture for the clubs involved. Chelsea and Arsenal will see no disruption to their squads, with no players called up for international duty.
Manchester United, managed by Ruben Amorim, face a more challenging period. The Red Devils will be without Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon), Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast), and Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco). Morocco, in particular, are tipped for a deep run in the competition, potentially extending Mazraoui's absence.
This twist of fate provides a slight advantage to United this weekend, as they face a Villa side now missing an additional attacking player. With Villa on 28 points and both Chelsea and United close behind on 28 and 26 points respectively, every squad detail could prove crucial in the tightly-contested Premier League race.
