Aston Villa host Nottingham Forest this weekend, looking to avoid a fourth straight home defeat.
Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle United have all enjoyed success during their recent trips to the West Midlands.
Despite the questionable home form, Unai Emery’s side are coming off an extremely impressive win over Fulham, which took them back into the Champions League places.
The Villa boss has been talking ahead of the Villa Park clash on Saturday.
Aston Villa: Unai Emery shares fresh Ezri Konsa update
It’s no secret that Villa have several injury issues to contend with ahead of this weekend’s fixture.
Diego Carlos, Boubacar Kamara, Jhon Duran, Tyrone Mings and Emi Buendia are all out of action.
Another player who is sidelined is Ezri Konsa, and Emery has confirmed that, despite making progress, the defender is out of the Nottingham Forest fixture.
“Still injured are the players who had surgery, like Mings Buendia and Kamara. Kamara had it yesterday. Mings and Buendia every day are closer to starting to return but they will not play this season,” he told Birmingham Live.
“Konsa is progressing very well but is still out for this match. Carlos is working alone and Duran. The other players are ready for tomorrow.”
Huge weekend in the top four race
With Tottenham not in action, this feels like an important week in the top-four race.
The Villans can increase the gap to Spurs with a win and heap further pressure on Ange Postecoglou’s men, who lost against Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out.
Manchester United’s form is probably more of a concern at the moment. Erik ten Hag’s side face Fulham at Old Trafford, looking to keep pace with Villa in the race for Champions League football.
On Saturday’s fixture, Forest head across the Midlands with their injury issues. Nuno Espirito Santo is currently sweating on Taiwo Awoniyi’s fitness. Forest are already without Chris Wood and Gonzalo Montiel.
