Aston Villa suffer major loss as Unai Emery reveals huge injury blow for Go Ahead Eagles clash
Unai Emery has just revealed a major absence for Aston Villa ahead of their trip to face Go Ahead Eagles on Thursday night.
The Villans are out to make it three consecutive wins in the Europa League, as they look to continue their recent upturn in form for their midweek clash in the Netherlands.
Emi Buendia netted the winner for Aston Villa on Sunday as they battled back from a fifth-minute deficit to secure an invaluable three points away at Tottenham.
Emery’s men have shown promising signs in recent weeks that suggest they could potentially turn their season around, although they will now have to contend without one of their key men for Thursday’s clash.
Unai Emery confirms Lucas Digne absence vs Go Ahead Eagles
Aston Villa will need to treat Go Ahead Eagles with respect, even if they are not one of Dutch football’s more eye-catching names.
Melvin Boel’s side qualified for the Europa League by beating AZ Alkmaar on penalties in their domestic cup final last season, and have already shown their ability to compete by beating Panathinaikos in their last continental outing.
With that in mind, it will be no easy task for Villa to head there and claim all three points.
Emery has also now revealed that his side will have to work without Lucas Digne on Thursday night, according to the Birmingham Mail.
The left-back suffered a nasty cut following a challenge with Kevin Danso in the clash with Tottenham at the weekend, and has not recovered in time to play any part against Go Ahead Eagles.
The Frenchman will be a big loss for the Villans on Thursday, as he has featured heavily so far this season and has shown his experience and class on several occasions.
Digne has won 48 per cent of his total duels in the Premier League, and is also effective with the ball at his feet, having currently completed 75 per cent of his passes.
In slightly more positive news, Tyrone Mings has travelled with the team despite missing the last three games with an ankle problem.
Aston Villa have an excellent record against Dutch sides
Aston Villa beat Feyenoord in their last Europa League game, as they continued their excellent record against Dutch sides throughout their history.
The second city outfit have never been beaten in a major European game by a team from the Netherlands, having recorded five wins and one draw from their six encounters with a Dutch side, according to AVFC Statto on X.
Emery and Co. will be desperate to see that continue on Thursday night, and another victory could even take them to the top of the Europa League table, if results elsewhere were to fall in their favour.
The Champions League is the ultimate goal for the Villans, and this competition could offer them a route into Europe’s premier club competition through the back door.
With that in mind, every single game is vital for their campaign, and they will want to avoid losing that impressive record in Deventer this time around.
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