Aston Villa face a key test this season in keeping their squad fresh and firing across all competitions in a congested season.
The Villains are back in the Champions League this season, which adds eight extra matches to their calendar before the end of January, on top of some more if they qualify from the league phase.
Add to that the evergrowing challenge of competing in the Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup during a busy campaign.
It underlines the challenge on Unai Emery’s hands, though it’s not a new one as he has faced it before with deep runs in Europe.
The Aston Villa boss won’t be best pleased to see some of his best players out of action though, with injury issues now piling up.
Ezri Konsa handed fresh injury worry ahead of international break
Adding to a plethora of injury concerns for Aston Villa, another worry appeared at Villa Park on Sunday against Manchester United.
Ezri Konsa suffered a fresh problem in a coming together with Rasmus Hojlund, which saw the defender clutching at his hamstring.
Emery took no risks, bringing the versatile star – who can play at right-back and centre-back – out of the match and replaced by Diego Carlos.
It comes as a huge blow to Villa, depending on how long he could be out for, as well as Konsa who may be out of the England reckoning over the coming international break.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former striker Clinton Morrison said on the incident: “Ezri Konsa is a top defender – you can play him anywhere. That will be him out of the England squad as well, but that’s a huge blow for Aston Villa.”
With a two-week break ahead, there will be time for Aston Villa to assess the issue for their star defender.
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Aston Villa injury concerns pile up
Adding Konsa to that list, Aston Villa have some injury concerns that are starting to pile up for Emery that have to be dealt with.
Amadou Onana and Jacob Ramsey were doubts heading into the tie against Man United and the pair missed out on the match.
Tyrone Mings is starting to make his way back to fitness after a serious knee injury, while Boubacar Kamara is also recovering from a big knock.
John McGinn will be aiming to return after the international break, with a thigh issue keeping him out of action.
