While the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations is set to disrupt the squads of most Premier League clubs, a select few have emerged with a significant strategic advantage. Aston Villa, Newcastle United, and Bournemouth are the only top-flight teams who will not lose any players to the tournament, which runs from Sunday, December 21 to January 18.
Unai Emery's Villa Riding High
Aston Villa's timing could not be better. The club is currently enjoying a phenomenal run of form, sitting third in the Premier League and having just secured a ninth consecutive victory in all competitions with a 3-2 win at West Ham United. They are just three points behind leaders Arsenal and one behind Manchester City.
With five league matches scheduled before their FA Cup tie against Tottenham on January 10, squad continuity is paramount. Villa's only potential absentee, Evann Guessand, has been named as a reserve for Ivory Coast and is not expected to feature, meaning manager Unai Emery will have his full arsenal available during a congested period.
The Full List of Premier League AFCON Absences
The contrast with their rivals is stark. While Villa, Newcastle, and Bournemouth remain untouched, other contenders face key departures. The most notable is Liverpool, who will be without their talisman Mohamed Salah as he represents Egypt.
The scale of the disruption varies across the league:
- 1 player: Brighton (Carlos Baleba), Crystal Palace (Ismaila Sarr), Liverpool (Mo Salah).
- 2 players: Brentford, Everton, Manchester City, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham, West Ham, Wolves.
- 3 players: Burnley, Fulham, Manchester United.
- 6 players: Sunderland.
A Potential Title Race Decider?
This period of the season, where fixtures come thick and fast, is often where titles are won and lost. Having a complete squad allows for greater rotation, tactical consistency, and avoids the need to integrate replacements into key positions.
For Aston Villa, who are being talked about as genuine contenders in both the Premier League and Europa League, this unexpected advantage could prove decisive. Newcastle United, while not in the same lofty league position, will also benefit from stability as they look to climb the table and progress in cup competitions.
As rivals navigate the absence of stars like Salah, the uninterrupted campaigns of Villa and Newcastle add a fascinating new layer to the Premier League's winter narrative.
