Aston Villa Face Leeds United With Key Fitness Concerns
Aston Villa return to Premier League action this Sunday with a crucial away fixture against Leeds United, aiming to continue their impressive run of form. Unai Emery's squad, however, faces several fitness questions following the November international break.
The Villans head to Elland Road having thrashed Bournemouth 4-0 before the pause, a result that leaves them just two points off third-placed Chelsea. A victory could propel them into the coveted Champions League places, marking a dramatic turnaround from their early-season struggles.
Latest Villa Team News and Return Dates
Ezri Konsa is a primary concern for Villa supporters. The defender was forced to withdraw from the England squad ahead of their match against Albania due to tightness in his calf. The club is hopeful that it was merely a precaution and that he will be available for selection against Leeds.
Amadou Onana also arrives back at Bodymoor Heath with a minor question mark. The midfielder was left out of the Belgium squad to face Liechtenstein as a precautionary measure after featuring against Kazakhstan. Villa's medical staff will assess him, but his return is anticipated for the weekend.
There is positive news regarding Matty Cash. The right-back was benched for Poland's match with Malta after feeling discomfort in training, but manager Jan Urban stated it was a risk-averse decision. Cash is expected to be fit for the trip to Yorkshire.
The situation with Lamare Bogarde is less clear. The young player left the Netherlands Under-21s setup as he was not fit to participate, though the specific nature and severity of his issue remain unknown.
Longer-Term Absences for Villa
While the aforementioned players have a chance to feature, Tyrone Mings remains a long-term absentee. The central defender is not expected back until the turn of the New Year, with a potential return date set for the fixture against Nottingham Forest on January 3.
Furthermore, Andres Garcia is yet to make an appearance this season. Before the Liverpool match at the start of November, Emery indicated Garcia was still "a few weeks" away from fitness, suggesting his return might not be imminent.
All eyes will be on Unai Emery's press conference on Friday for the definitive team news update as Villa prepares for a challenging encounter against a Leeds side that has proven difficult to beat at home this season.
