Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has expressed uncertainty over whether Amadou Onana will be fit for the Europa League final against Freiburg. The midfielder sustained a calf injury during the first half of Villa's semi-final first leg against Nottingham Forest last week. Despite attempting to play through the pain in the second half, he was substituted shortly after the break, with Lamare Bogarde taking his place.
Recovery Timeline
Emery has revealed that Onana is expected to be sidelined for up to three weeks, making his availability for the final in Istanbul a close call. When asked if Onana will feature again this season, Emery said: 'Hopefully but I don't know. He is still being injured.' He added that the medical team initially indicated a three-week recovery period, which could coincide with either the Europa League final or the league match against Liverpool.
Alternative Options
Emery confirmed that the team is preparing for Onana's potential absence by working with Victor Lindelof and Lamare Bogarde in the midfield role. He noted that Boubacar Kamara remains unavailable, but expressed confidence in the squad's depth. 'We do not have Kamara, who of course is very important for us. But I am positive with the players we have. In case someone is not available, we will find solutions, like we did always,' Emery stated.
The Villa boss emphasized the team's resilience and adaptability, highlighting their ability to overcome injuries throughout the season. With the Europa League final approaching, all eyes will be on Onana's recovery progress as the club hopes for positive news.
