Unai Emery could be forced into making one change to his starting XI for Saturday evening’s home clash against Everton.
Aston Villa return from the international break with some positive and negative news. While long-term absentees Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara are both back in training, Leon Bailey is an injury doubt for Saturday’s match.
Bailey suffered a hamstring injury in the opening stages of Villa’s 2-1 win over Leicester City after lunging towards the ball in an attempt to block a pass.
Speaking at full-time, Unai Emery wasn’t hopeful that the 27-year-old would return after the break, relaying doubts over his inclusion.
“I don’t know exactly how bad his injury is,” Emery said. “He came off the pitch with an injury. Hopefully when we come back again Jaden could be available again to play, Leon maybe not.”
With it looking increasingly likely that he isn’t available, especially after he withdrew from the Jamaica squad for their Nations League matches, here are three ways Villa could lineup without him…
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Jaden Philogene starts on the right
Unlike Bailey, who started the trip to Leicester, summer arrival Jaden Philogene wasn’t risked for the game after suffering a kick to his leg in training that was causing pain.
Two weeks on from this incident, the 22-year-old could return to the squad for Everton’s visit, while perhaps starting in place of Bailey.
Philogene is the most natural replacement for the Jamaican on the right as he was brought back to the club to become a backup option for Villa’s key man.
Now that Bailey is doubtful for this match, the former Hull City star could make his first start of the season on the right flank.
Emi Buendia comes into the side
Much like Mings and Kamara, Emi Buendia also suffered an ACL injury that kept him out for almost a year.
The Argentine attacking midfielder has since been named on the bench for Villa’s three Premier League games while scoring twice in an EFL Trophy outing for the under-21s against Fleetwood Town.
Buendia is capable of operating anywhere behind the striker, previously showcasing his versatility as a right-winger, left-winger and attacking midfielder in Emery’s system.
The 27-year-old has been a huge miss to Villa with his creativity and he could sprinkle that onto proceedings from the right flank against Everton.
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Jacob Ramsey cements spot on the left
Another tactical switch Emery could make is bringing Jacob Ramsey into the starting XI and moving captain John McGinn to the right flank, where he’s played in the past.
The injury to Bailey could pose an opportunity for Ramsey to cement his place in the side after impressing from the bench, including the assist for Jhon Duran’s winner against West Ham.
The Villa academy graduate is the likely candidate to replace Bailey on Saturday having come off the bench for him against Leicester however, Emery will perhaps consider the other options of starting either Philogene or Buendia too.
