AdminAston Villa head into their Champions League opener against Club Brugge with several notable absentees from the squad, including Brian Madjo and summer signing Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
Madjo, who impressed during the UEFA Super Cup, has been left out of the League Phase squad. His omission could raise further concerns over the severity of the ankle/foot injury that has kept him sidelined.
Harwood-Bellis, signed from Southampton during the summer transfer window, has also failed to make the cut.
Meanwhile, Johan Manzambi and Amadou Onana remain unavailable as they continue their recovery from knee injuries.
Champions League FYIs
Aston Villa at Club Brugge
Kickoff: Tues. Sept. 8, 5:45pm
Venue: Jan Breydel Stadium, Brugge, Belgium
Google’s result probability gives Villa a 38% chance of winning, compared with 26% for a draw and 36% for a Club Brugge victory.
One boost for Unai Emery is the availability of Joao Gomes. The midfielder is currently serving a three-match FA suspension, but that ban does not apply to UEFA competitions, meaning he is eligible to play on Tuesday.
Leon Goretzka could also make his Villa debut after joining from Bayern Munich. The German midfielder has been working on his match fitness and may finally be ready to feature.
Villa are expected to line up with Zion Suzuki, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Pau Torres, Ian Maatsen, Boubacar Kamara, Joao Gomes, John McGinn, Emi Buendia, Alejandro Garnacho and Nicolas Jackson.
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