Unai Emery is grappling with a significant injury crisis in defence as his in-form Aston Villa side prepare to host Manchester United at Villa Park this Sunday. The Villans will be without at least four first-team players for the Premier League encounter, with a major doubt hanging over the fitness of World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emi Martinez.
Key Absentees Weaken Villa's Backline
Aston Villa's remarkable run of form—15 wins from their last 17 matches across all competitions—faces a stern test against a Manchester United side that has found some joy on the road recently. However, Emery's plans have been severely disrupted by injuries to crucial defensive personnel.
The most pressing concern is between the posts. Emi Martinez has been managing a back injury for a fortnight, which caused him to miss the matches against FC Basel and West Ham United. His only appearance in Villa's last five games was the recent home victory over Arsenal. A late fitness test will determine if he can feature against United.
Compounding the defensive issues, Villa will definitely be without their two primary left-sided centre-backs. Pau Torres was forced off late in the win against Arsenal and subsequently missed the clashes with Basel and West Ham. His partner in that role, Tyrone Mings, has been absent since Villa's last defeat at Liverpool on November 1.
Return Timelines and Midfield Blow
Speaking after the win at West Ham, manager Unai Emery expressed hope that both Torres and Mings could return to training soon, targeting a comeback for the trip to Chelsea on Saturday, December 27.
The injury news extends beyond the defence. Midfielder Ross Barkley is facing a longer spell on the sidelines. He sprained his knee during Villa's 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers and is not expected back until around Saturday, February 7, for a potential return against Bournemouth.
Furthermore, the weekend's fixture rules out another player due to contractual reasons. Jadon Sancho is ineligible to face his parent club, Manchester United, following his deadline-day loan move to Villa Park in the summer.
Context for the High-Stakes Encounter
Villa head into this match seeking a tenth consecutive victory in all competitions, a stunning feat that underscores their transformation under Emery. In contrast, Manchester United arrive with just two wins from their last seven Premier League outings. Interestingly, both of those recent United victories came away from Old Trafford, against Crystal Palace and Wolves.
The absence of Martinez, Torres, and Mings represents a substantial challenge for Villa's defensive solidity. How Emery reshuffles his pack against the attacking threat of United could be the defining factor in whether Villa's extraordinary winning streak continues or is halted by the visitors from Manchester.
