Following an underwhelming deadline day for Aston Villa, attention turns to their clash on Saturday afternoon against Leicester City.
Aston Villa ended the transfer window in frustrating style, as they were unable to sign the defensive cover Unai Emery needed.
But, on the whole, Emery was still pleased with the signings he completed under the constraints of PSR as seven new players arrived at Villa Park.
Now, after receiving the draw for the Champions League, Villa will be focused on putting a positive run of results together in the Premier League while gearing up for Europe’s elite.
Last weekend, Aston Villa were unfortunately beaten by Arsenal but they’ll be looking to bounce back as they travel to Leicester City on Saturday.
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Aston Villa injury news ahead of Leicester
Since the defeat to the Gunners, Villa have been hit with a huge slice of bad luck.
Matty Cash was taken off in the 15th minute with an injury and scans later showed that he’d be sidelined for a month, missing at least four matches in the process.
Villa then suffered an injury to Diego Carlos. The Brazilian was linked with a deadline-day exit but will now miss the trip to Leicester City.
There was some brilliant news too, though, as centre-back Tyrone Mings returned to Villa training this week after over a year on the sidelines while midfielder Boubacar Kamara is making huge inroads on his recovery.
Emery will be pleased to have Mings back in training, with the club hopeful he will make his comeback in the matchday squad next month at the earliest.
The Villans have missed the Englishman’s experience at the back, as last season, they conceded goals for fun without him in the side.
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Predicted Aston Villa XI v Leicester City
Emi Martinez, of course, will take his place between the sticks against Leicester City but there will be one change to the back four.
Following the injury to Matty Cash, the ‘incredible’ Nedeljkovic is in line to make his first Premier League start for Aston Villa while the Serbian will be joined by Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres and Lucas Digne to make up the defensive line.
The Belgian midfield pivot of Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana has worked a treat so far and they’ll look to assume dominance of Leicester while Morgan Rogers will float just ahead.
Rogers was unplayable against Arsenal and many waxed lyrical over his performance, so he’ll now be looking to add goals and assists to his game.
The electric Leon Bailey will start on the right as usual with captain John McGinn on the left and Ollie Watkins leading the line.
