Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has confirmed that Johan Manzambi will not be available for Saturday's match against Hull City. The Swiss international has returned to group training at Bodymoor Heath after spending part of the summer working with a knee specialist, but he is not yet ready for match action.
Recovery progress and timeline
Manzambi, who joined Villa from SC Freiburg for £52 million, sustained the knee injury during the World Cup. At that tournament, he registered four goal involvements in as many matches. He has now resumed training with the squad, but Emery indicated that more time is needed before he can feature.
"He is training with the group, and feeling better, but he will need some days more," Emery said. "I don't know for Tuesday or for Forest at home."
Villa's search for first points
Villa travel to Hull aiming to secure their first result of the season after opening the campaign with consecutive defeats against Brighton and Arsenal. The match represents an opportunity to turn their form around.
This will be the first meeting between Hull and Villa in any competition since a 2-2 Championship draw in January 2019. The Tigers have won just one of their last 16 games against Villa.
Historical head-to-head record
Villa have won six of their eight Premier League meetings with Hull City. This will be their first encounter since February 2015, a match that ended in Hull's only victory over Villa in the top flight.
