Kobei Moore must take advantage as Nicolo Zaniolo injury woes emerge for Aston Villa
Unai Emery will be hoping to extend the gap on Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League table as Aston Villa prepare to face Chelsea on Saturday (27 April).
The Villans currently occupy the fourth Champions League qualification spot, sitting six points clear of Tottenham after a fine 3-1 comeback against Bournemouth on Sunday 21 April.
Emery is not without his setbacks, however, and Nicolo Zaniolo is the latest player to deal the Villa manager an injury blow this season.
The Italian missed the victory over the Cherries, having exited the pitch after just 28 minutes during Villa’s clash against Lille in the Europa Conference League, a nail-biting thriller that saw them progress to the semi-final on penalties.
Sharing an update on Zaniolo’s fitness, transcribed by Birmingham Live (23 April), Emery said: “He has an injury but we have to wait how long it’s going to be. Hopefully, it’s not a lot.”
Despite a rollercoaster of a loan spell this season, the 24-year-old has come back into the side recently, impressing during the 2-0 win over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday 14 April.
Unai Emery must contemplate Kobei Moore debut ahead of Aston Villa v Chelsea
Kobei Moore is one player who could benefit from the first-team injury blow, with the striker continuing to impress for Villa’s Under-21s.
The 19-year-old has notched nine goals and three assists in 16 Premier League 2 appearances, and though he is naturally a striker, he can also be utilised on the flanks.
Moore was placed on the wing for the majority of the 2022/23 campaign, which could persuade Emery to promote the youngster to the first team before they welcome Chelsea to Villa Park on Saturday.
His capabilities of playing on the wing, mixed with his goalscoring prowess this season, could form a dangerous prospect to attack down the left-hand side that Zaniolo seems to have made his own recently.
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