Unai Emery ‘hamstrung’ by new Aston Villa injury development v Olympiacos
Dan Bardell has suggested that Unai Emery will reinstate Moussa Diaby over Tim Iroegbunam for Aston Villa in place of the injured Youri Tielemans v Olympiacos.
The Belgian was substituted against Chelsea due to a groin injury after he went down under a challenge from Conor Gallagher.
Jacob Tanswell has reported via X (29 April) that he will miss at least two games due to injury including the Conference League semi-final.
Bardell believes that he will be a big miss for the Villans and has suggested how he thinks Emery could line up his side at Villa Park.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bardell said: “There’s only so much Villa can do at the moment they’re a bit hamstrung at the moment. I suppose there’s three options that they have available for the game.
“Iroegbunam could come in and directly replace Tielemans which means McGinn plays as a number 10 which I don’t think they will do.”
“That means it’ll either be Moussa Diaby or Jhon Duran. We’re very hamstrung with what we can do, especially in midfield. We’re very light at the moment with Tielemans injured and Kamara out for the season.
“It’s frustrating because Tielemans was becoming one of Villa’s most important players. He’s improved as the season’s gone on. Especially in European games, he’s been really important.
“He’ll be a huge miss but I think it’ll be Diaby that comes in and McGinn plays central midfield with Douglas Luiz.”
Who should replace Youri Tielemans for Aston Villa v Olympiacos?
After a slow start to life at Villa Park, the Belgian has become one of the first names on the teamsheet for Emery in midfield and attacking areas.
This has often seen him named over Moussa Diaby in behind Ollie Watkins as the Villans looked to dominate the midfield.
He has made 31 appearances for Villa this season and has scored one and assisted a positive six goals, according to FotMob.
In this time he has registered over 750 passes with an accuracy of 86 per cent showing his ability as the metronome in the Villa team.
It will certainly be tough to replace what he adds, especially with Villa’s midfield getting trampled by Chelsea after he went off.
Luiz and McGinn are likely to come together to form a midfield duo with Diaby coming in alongside Watkins up top.
There also could be a call-up to the starting XI for Tim Iroegbunam if Emery opts for a more like-for-like approach.
Either way, the Villans need to be sharp as they await their first European semi-final in over 40 years.
In other Aston Villa news, Matty Cash could have tough night for Aston Villa v Olympiacos up against Daniel Podence.
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