Aston Villa are back in action in Europe on Thursday in their blockbuster clash against Ajax, with journalist John Townley giving his verdict on Pau Torres ahead of the first leg.
Excitement is building around Aston Villa as Unai Emery’s side prepares for battle in Amsterdam against Ajax.
The Villans will face the Eredivisie side on Thursday evening in the first leg of the round of 16, a match that could be integral to how the Midlands club’s season pans out.
Despite Villa’s injury woes this season, Emery has managed to keep his squad on course to fight for a top-four finish and entertain a European cup run however, journalist John Townley has shared his thoughts over one key injury ahead of Ajax.
John Townley’s verdict on Pau Torres ahead of Ajax test
Speaking on the Claret and Blue Podcast ahead of Thursday night’s fixture, Townley expressed his opinion surrounding the fitness of Pau Torres.
The Spaniard was an unused substitution last time out against Luton Town, a decision seen as a precaution after he sustained a slight injury the week prior against Nottingham Forest.
After withdrawing at half-time against Forest, there was some worry over Torres’ fitness considering how soon he had returned from injury.
Townley suspected that despite being on the bench against Luton, the centre-back may not be “100% ready” to start against Ajax.
“I think the only one area that you look at is does Pau Torres start or not, or do we save him for Tottenham.”
“It’s only been a week since he picked up another injury so we need to be careful with what we’re doing.”
“I still don’t think he’s 100% ready so I wouldn’t expect him to start against Ajax but I’m happy with that.”
The decision that Unai Emery faces with Pau Torres
As touched upon by Townley, it’s imperative that Villa tread carefully with the Spaniard’s recovery to avoid any greater concern at the business end of the season.
Thankfully, the full return of Ezri Konsa and the return of Diego Carlos to training gives Emery added options at centre-back if he is to keep Torres rested tomorrow evening.
Despite the Ajax fixture being a blockbuster European away, the tie being played over two legs does give the manager the freedom to utilise his squad around the weekend’s fixture against Spurs.
Just three days after the showdown in Amsterdam, Villa face the Lilywhites at Villa Park in what could be seen as a six-pointer in the race for fourth place.
Emery will now have a decision to make regarding his best centre-back and whether he deems it necessary to throw him back into option with high-priority games coming thick and fast.
