Aston Villa host Ajax on Thursday in the second leg of their UEFA Conference League round of 16 tie.
The two sides played out an eventful 0-0 draw last week, a match which saw Ezri Konsa dismissed for a second yellow card.
The 26-year-old will now miss the Villa Park clash, with Unai Emery likely to tinker with his lineup again after the damaging defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
One player who’s been missing from Villa’s last two fixtures is Jacob Ramsey. The 22-year-old was injured during the Villans’ 3-2 win over Luton Town and was forced off at Kenilworth Road.
Initially, the Villa boss had hinted at the midfielder being available for Sunday’s clash against Tottenham.
On Tuesday, 12 March, the Spaniard shared another update.
Unai Emery shares Jacob Ramsey Aston Villa injury update
Speaking ahead of the Villa Park clash, Emery suggested that Ramsey could be set to feature against the Dutch giants.
“We are waiting to see if he’s getting better to start training,” Emery told the Express and Star.
“This week it could be but it’s not completely sure he’ll be ready.”
How important is Jacob Ramsey to Aston Villa?
Ramsey was a significant loss on Sunday.
The midfielder’s ability to make third-man runs and stretch defences would’ve given Ange Postecoglou’s side something else to consider.
Instead, Ollie Watkins was the main outlet and was often snuffled out by Mikey van de Ven whenever Villa tried to break quickly.
Ahead of the Ajax clash, Emery needs to return to what has worked exceptionally well this season. He was overloading his midfield with willing runners who were happy to work tirelessly, pressing opposition defenders.
Ramsey’s return would allow this tactic to be deployed appropriately again. However, with the Spaniard failing to confirm if the midfielder will return, Villa fans should probably expect the worst regarding his involvement.
Because there is uncertainty over his fitness at this stage, it feels doubtful that the Villa boss will throw the “outstanding” midfielder in from the start on Thursday.
