Unai Emery dealt crushing blow as Aston Villa team news emerges v Leicester City
Matty Cash’s return from suspension might be the only positive Unai Emery can take ahead of Aston Villa versus Leicester City on Saturday.
The Poland international missed the 2-2 draw against Brighton last time out, with Jhon Duran and Morgan Rogers now missing through suspension also.
That will be the least of the Spaniard’s worries, with Diego Carlos and Jaden Philogene moving into the treatment room at Villa Park, alongside trusted defender Pau Torres ahead of 4 January at Villa Park.
Now confirmed by the manager [Official website], Torres could be missing for up to two months with a broken metatarsal, leaving him stuck for options all over the park.
Of course, the squad is filled to the brim with talented players but a bulk of his most-dependable assets are now set to be watching from the sidelines, and the Foxes will be desperate for their fourth win of the season.
Aston Villa set to miss Pau Torres for two months
Torres is an extremely important member of the Villa starting XI, whether he’s securing the backline and protecting Emi Martinez or starting attacks for the front line to grab onto.
The 27-year-old is immaculate with the ball at his feet, completing 93 per cent of his dribbles in the Premier League so far and boasting an 88 per cent pass completion [FotMob].
He also commands everything in front of the Villa penalty box, winning 72 per cent of his tackles, making 49 clearances and six interceptions in total. His absence is a massive blow.
Given that he ranks in the top 93 percentile for progressive carries and the top 94 percentile for successful take-ons [FBref], it is simple to see why he is so important to the way the Villans play under Emery.
While a home clash against struggling side Leicester should mean three points this weekend, the Premier League is never that simple, made much harder by the absence of a star defender.
Emery will be hoping that Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings can create a bond rather quickly before facing the likes of Jamie Vardy, Stephy Mavididi and Bilal El Khannous.
In other Aston Villa news, Lewis Dobbin is close to another Villa Park exit with a January loan deal on the cards.
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