Unai Emery’s side take on Sheffield United in the Premier League this Friday night.
Aston Villa are able to go top of the Premier League with a win at Villa Park – which has been an absolute fortress this season.
Unai Emery will be confident that Ollie Watkins, John McGinn, Emiliano Martinez and co will get the job done, which will put the Villans in such a good position heading into the Christmas period.
The first-team squad need to be up for it. However, three players do need to be treated carefully against Sheffield. Here’s why.
Three Aston Villa players risk suspension against Sheffield
The following Aston Villa players are just one booking away from a one-game suspension.
Each of these players is on four bookings in the Premier League season, meaning one more earns them a one-game suspension.
This means they would miss the boxing day clash as Aston Villa travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United – which is a vital clash.
Unai Emery will have this in the back of his mind, given the fact the rule for five bookings comes to an end soon.
When does the one-game suspension for five bookings end?
These three names have to avoid a booking over their next two fixtures to escape an automatic one-match suspension.
After Game Week 19 in the Premier League, it then requires a total of 10 bookings over the season for players to receive a ban – although they double the punishment, with this being a two-game suspension.
John McGinn is probably the player Emery will be worried the most about heading into the Sheffield clash. The hot-headed captain does tend to always be in and around trouble.
However, he’ll be desperately needed for the United clash, so he’ll simply have to restrain himself.
