Villa Squad Gets Major Fitness Boost Ahead of Leeds Trip
Unai Emery has delivered a significant team news update, confirming that the majority of his Aston Villa squad is ready for selection against Leeds United this weekend. The manager revealed that key defender Ezri Konsa is fit despite withdrawing from the England squad, while a late fitness test will determine the availability of midfielder Amadou Onana.
Injury Latest: Who's In and Who's Out for Villa
Emery provided a positive bulletin from the Bodymoor Heath training ground, confirming that several players who had fitness concerns during the international break are now back in contention. Alongside Konsa, right-back Matty Cash has trained and is available after being rested for Poland's match against Malta as a precaution.
Youngsters Lamare Bogarde and Andres Garcia have also been declared fit. Bogarde, who was not fit enough to feature for the Netherlands Under-21s, has now recovered. Garcia, yet to make a first-team appearance this season, has been training with the squad.
The only confirmed absentee remains Tyrone Mings, who continues to recover from the hamstring injury he sustained against Liverpool earlier this month.
Onana's Race Against Time and International Roundup
The main fitness doubt surrounds midfielder Amadou Onana. The Belgian international was rested as a precaution for his country's final match of the month against Liechtenstein after playing 71 minutes on an artificial pitch in Astana against Kazakhstan.
Emery stated, "Amadou is the only player who we will see tomorrow if he can play." This suggests a late decision will be made on his involvement at Elland Road. During Belgium's match, Onana was replaced by his Villa teammate, Youri Tielemans.
Regarding the returning internationals, Emery explained the club's protocol: "Today the players who were playing for their national teams joined us. Normally we are giving them two days off after their last match playing for their national teams."
Villa will be looking to continue their impressive league form, having secured five victories in their last six outings. Their recent wins include triumphs over Fulham, Burnley, Tottenham, Manchester City, and Bournemouth.
Leeds, meanwhile, face a difficult challenge, having failed to win in their last five Premier League meetings with Villa. Their most recent victory against the Midlands club was a 3-0 away success back in October 2020.
