Unai Emery handed boost as Ezri Konsa injury update emerges ahead of Aston Villa v Fulham
Unai Emery has been haunted by injuries during his time at Aston Villa so far and that trend only looks set to continue.
The Spaniard has been without Boubacar Kamara and Tyrone Mings for quite some time, with John McGinn, Robin Olsen and Jacob Ramsey now on the treatment table.
In addition to those players, Villa’s 0-0 draw against Manchester United on Sunday 6 October also provided Emery with another injury issue as Ezri Konsa left the field after just 12 minutes.
Now, heading into another international break, the Villa staff will be watching through their fingers as players risk injury for their national teams, though a new boost has emerged at Villa Park.
According to The Telegraph [9 October], Konsa is “optimistic” that he can return within “one or two weeks”, which could put him on schedule to be available to face Fulham on Saturday 19 October.
The 26-year-old has withdrawn from international duty with England due to his new injury, which allows the medical staff at Villa Park to keep a close on eye him over the next two weeks.
Ezri Konsa to return from injury for Fulham v Aston Villa?
While both Pau Torres and Diego Carlos are at Emery’s disposal, he would much rather have the Englishman available for the clash at Craven Cottage.
In the Premier League so far this season, Konsa has maintained an impressive 94 per cent passing accuracy, scored once with an xG of 0.29, won 71 per cent of his tackles and has made 21 clearances [FotMob].
Among centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues, he ranks in the top 89 percentile for pass completion, the top 91 percentile for progressive carries and the top 94 percentile for successful take-ons [FBref].
Given his ability to also deputise at full-back, where he ranks in the top 99 percentile for pass completion, his return would be an incredible boost for Emery, especially with a Champions League tie against Bologna to come as well.
It would not be a surprise to see Konsa covered in bubblewrap during the international break, with Emery likely desperate to welcome him back to the starting XI as soon as possible.
In other Aston Villa news, a 70% Villa let-down failed to justify Jamie Carragher’s hype, being the worst on the ball v Manchester United.
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