Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is confronting a mounting injury crisis just days before his side's Premier League curtain-raiser against Liverpool, with two more key players adding to his selection headaches.
Emiliano Buendía, the creative Argentine midfielder, and new signing Youri Tielemans have both emerged as serious doubts for Saturday's trip to Anfield following concerning developments in training.
Double Blow for Villa's Premier League Opener
The Midlands club confirmed that Buendía sustained a significant knock during practice sessions this week, casting major doubt over his availability for the Liverpool showdown. Meanwhile, Belgian international Tielemans, who joined Villa on a free transfer this summer, is also battling fitness issues that could rule him out of the season's first major test.
This double injury setback compounds Emery's existing selection problems, with several first-team regulars already working their way back to full match fitness ahead of the new campaign.
Emery's Selection Headache Intensifies
The Spanish tactician now faces difficult decisions about his starting lineup for what promises to be a challenging visit to Merseyside. With multiple attacking and midfield options potentially unavailable, Emery may need to reshuffle his pack significantly.
The absence of Buendía would be particularly concerning for Villa supporters. The 26-year-old playmaker has been instrumental in Villa's attacking transitions and his creative spark would be sorely missed against Jürgen Klopp's rebuilt Liverpool midfield.
Pre-Season Preparations Disrupted
These injury concerns come at the worst possible time for Villa, who are looking to build on their impressive seventh-place finish last season. The timing disrupts Emery's carefully laid pre-season plans and could force last-minute tactical adjustments.
With the transfer window still open until September 1st, the Villa hierarchy may need to consider accelerating their search for additional reinforcements if the injury situation doesn't improve rapidly.
All eyes will be on Villa's Bodymoor Heath training ground in the coming days as the medical team works tirelessly to get key players ready for one of the toughest opening fixtures in the Premier League calendar.
