Unai Emery, the head coach of Aston Villa, has provided a detailed explanation regarding the absence of midfielder Amadou Onana during the recent Premier League encounter against Brentford. The Belgian international was notably missing from the matchday squad, raising questions among supporters and pundits alike about his availability and fitness status.
Fitness Concerns Sideline Key Midfielder
Emery clarified in his post-match press conference that Onana was not included in the starting lineup or brought on as a substitute due to concerns over his physical condition. The manager revealed that the player was suffering from muscle fatigue following Villa's intense Europa League victory over RB Salzburg just days earlier.
"He was not feeling completely fit after the match on Thursday. He had a tired muscle," Emery stated, providing specific insight into the medical situation that prevented Onana from participating in the weekend fixture.
Midweek Exertion Takes Its Toll
The fatigue issue developed after Onana played a substantial 78 minutes during Villa's dramatic comeback win against the Austrian Bundesliga side. This significant midweek exertion appears to have left the midfielder requiring additional recovery time, prompting Emery and the medical staff to exercise caution with his involvement against Brentford.
In Onana's absence, young midfielder Lamare Bogarde received an unexpected opportunity, partnering with Douglas Luiz in Villa's central midfield pairing. This tactical adjustment demonstrated Emery's willingness to rotate his squad while managing player welfare throughout a demanding fixture schedule.
Additional Injury Blow for Villa
The fitness concerns extended beyond Onana, with star striker Ollie Watkins also unavailable for selection against Brentford. Watkins sustained a hamstring issue during the same European fixture against Salzburg, further complicating Emery's team selection and tactical planning for the Premier League encounter.
These concurrent injury setbacks highlight the physical demands placed on Premier League squads competing across multiple competitions, particularly during periods of congested fixtures that test squad depth and recovery protocols.
Looking Ahead to Crucial Fixtures
Villa now face a challenging sequence of matches that will test their squad management and resilience. The team travels to face Bournemouth next weekend before hosting Brighton and Leeds United in Premier League action. Sandwiched between these league fixtures is an important FA Cup clash against Newcastle United at Villa Park.
Emery and his medical team will be carefully monitoring the recovery progress of both Onana and Watkins as they prepare for this demanding period. The manager's comments suggest a cautious approach to player management, prioritizing long-term fitness over short-term availability when dealing with fatigue-related concerns.
The situation underscores the delicate balance Premier League managers must strike between fielding their strongest available sides and protecting players from potential injury exacerbation. As Villa continue their pursuit of success across multiple competitions, managing player workload and recovery will remain crucial to their ambitions throughout the remainder of the season.
