Unai Emery shares Nicolo Zaniolo injury update ahead of Aston Villa v Liverpool
Unai Emery has confirmed that Nicolo Zaniolo is close to a return from injury – and he could now have a big impact at Aston Villa in their final two games.
The Villans crashed out of the Europa Conference League against Olympiacos on Thursday (9 May) after a frustrating 6-2 aggregate defeat.
Speaking post-match, as per The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell on X [9 May], Emery shared the news that Alex Moreno, Youri Tielemans and Zaniolo are close to a return.
He said: “Hopefully Zaniolo is close. Alex Moreno has a small injury and will need a few days. Youri Tielemans is a small injury too.”
What impact can Nicolo Zaniolo have on Aston Villa?
The Italian signed on loan from Galatasaray in the summer transfer window and has had a mixed bag of a season in the Premier League.
He has made just nine league starts while coming off the bench 15 times and he has scored just two goals in that time without registering an assist [FotMob].
The two goals he scored were important as he scored late equalisers against Sheffield United and West Ham earlier this season.
Zaniolo certainly brings some chaos when he plays, which has seen him take 2.87 shots and give away 2.65 fouls per 90.
His defensive work rate is why Emery continues to utilise the midfielder – 2.07 tackles, 1.42 blocks and 1.20 clearances per 90 minutes summing up his effort to track back when needed [Fbref].
Indeed, as per FBref, he ranks among the top four per cent of all attacking midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues for clearances per 90 (1.20).
He could return against Liverpool and after a tired display against Olympiacos, and his energy could be what the doctor ordered.
This was shown by his performance against Arsenal where he kept a 70-per-cent pass accuracy and won 50 per cent of tackles, as well as all of his aerial duels [FotMob].
Zaniolo has just two games remaining as an Aston Villa player so he will be hoping that he can make the most of them. It is clear Emery is looking to get him back as soon as possible.
In other Aston Villa news, Emery is “ready to spend” ahead of the summer transfer window at Villa Park after agreeing on a club-record deal
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