Every game Pau Torres will miss for Aston Villa after fresh Unai Emery update
Aston Villa have been dealt a blow after learning that centre-back Pau Torres is still not yet close to a return to action.
The Spanish defender picked up a calf injury in the latter stages of Aston Villa’s dramatic win over Arsenal on 6 December.
Torres missed Thursday night’s Europa League clash with Basel and was absent again as Villa beat West Ham United 3-2 at the London Stadium.
Unai Emery’s side were 2-1 down going into the break against the Hammers, but Morgan Rogers grabbed a brace to turn the game around in the second half.
Pau Torres to miss crucial games for Aston Villa
Torres has been so important for Aston Villa this season, but the Midlands outfit will now have to cope without the defender for the next couple of games at the very least.
After the win against West Ham, Emery revealed that the Spaniard is expected to be out of action for the next two weeks.
Villa have a home clash with Manchester United on 21 December, so Torres will miss the visit of the Red Devils.
Emery’s side then have a short break over Christmas before travelling to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on 27 December, and the defender is likely to be absent for that one as well.
Three days later, Aston Villa take on Arsenal at the Emirates in a huge game in the Premier League title race.
That match comes just outside the two-week window, so Torres could be back to face the Gunners.
Torres has been superb for Villa this season as he leads the way in various metrics among defenders, including for blocks – an average of one a game in the Premier League.
The Spaniard has a pass completion rate of 88 per cent, meanwhile, and registers 4.52 progressive passes per 90 minutes.
That is defined by a completed pass that moves the ball 10 yards forward, with Torres among the top 19 per cent of all centre-backs across Europe’s top five leagues in that metric.
Victor Lindelof can step up in Pau Torres’ absence
Aston Villa signed Victor Lindelof on a free transfer over the summer, and with Torres now joining Tyrone Mings in the treatment room, it is proving to be an adept signing.
Lindelof has impressed in the Europa League, but will need to take his game to another level with the recent injuries.
In the league, Lindelof has averaged 0.2 tackles per game, which is extremely low, but he has helped out in attack as he has one assist in the league.
The ex-Man United man has a huge amount of experience, and Emery will have full confidence that he can fill in while Torres is out.
With his former side coming to Villa Park next Sunday, Lindelof will be desperate to put in a good performance and show the Red Devils what they’re missing.
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