Aston Villa have been handed an injury blow ahead of their Europa Conference League semi-final first leg against Olympiacos, giving Unai Emery a decision to make over selection.
After the drama that unfolded at Villa Park on Saturday night in the Premier League, Aston Villa return on Thursday in the Europa Conference League semi-final.
Unai Emery will lead his side into the first leg against Olympiacos with confidence after overcoming an impressive LOSC Lille side in the previous round, with the Villans just two games away from reaching a European final.
With fourth place in the hands of the Midlands club, with three challenges left to play in the Premier League, the manager will be cautious of rotating his side to cope with the busy schedule ahead, with all games having great importance at this stage of the season.
While confidence in the Villa camp will be high, Emery will now have a crucial decision to make, with a fresh injury update coming as a hammer blow to the Villans.
Youri Tielemans will miss Aston Villa clash with Olympiacos due to injury
Things didn’t look good for Youri Tielemans when he was withdrawn after just 27 minutes against Chelsea clutching his groin, with there now being an update on the Belgian’s fitness ahead of Thursday’s clash.
As reported by The Athletic journalist Jacob Tanswell, the 26-year-old is expected to miss the next two games with scans showing a hematoma, an injury that is healed with rest.
Fortunately, the anxiety that the Belgium international would miss the remainder of the season has been relieved slightly, with a two-game absence far less of a blow.
Still, Emery will have to find a way to fill the void that Tielemans will leave in his squad on Thursday night, with options limited in that department.
Youri Tielemans will be a big miss for Aston Villa
As noted during the Chelsea game, Tielemans’ premature exit disturbed the balance in the middle of the park, which ultimately led to the Blues finding a way back into the fixture.
The Belgian brings a level of control to Emery’s side, having grown into the role that the boss has crafted for him, making it noticeable when he is not there.
With the absence of Boubacar Kamara a glaring miss for Villa, the manager will now have to seek his best option to replace Tielemans, with the most obvious replacement being Moussa Diaby in a more advanced position.
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The issue with that is opening the door for a repeat of what unfolded in midfield against Chelsea, with John McGinn and Douglas Luiz looking far away from their usual level and the Frenchman nowhere to be seen when needed.
In a European semi-final, could Emery now call on 20-year-old Tim Iroegbunam to act as the sweeper in front of defence?
There will be a significant call for the Spaniard to make ahead of the fixture, a game that could see Villa put one foot in the final of the Conference League.
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