AdminUnai Emery has confirmed that Leon Goretzka is set to be included in Aston Villa’s squad for their clash against Fenerbahce, while Matteo Ruggeri faces more than a month on the sidelines through injury.
Ruggeri was forced off at half-time during Villa’s 2-2 draw against Brentford, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka replacing the Italian defender. Villa are already without Ian Maatsen, leaving Emery with limited options at left-back.
However, the Villa boss delivered encouraging news regarding Maatsen’s recovery, suggesting the defender could return to group training within the next fortnight.
“Ruggeri, I don’t know exactly how long it will be, but some weeks he will be out. More than one month,” Emery said.
“We must try to find solutions as Maatsen is not available. I think he should be in a few days, one week or two weeks joining us.”
Meanwhile, Goretzka could finally make his Aston Villa debut after joining on a free transfer in August.
The German midfielder suffered a knee injury shortly after beginning training at Bodymoor Heath following his departure from Bayern Munich.
Villa defeated Club Brugge 3-2 in Belgium in their previous Champions League outing and will face Viking FK next week.
Emery also stressed the importance of improving Villa’s home form.
“We are realistic about how we are working and improving things. But it is not enough yet, so we are having lots of conversations with the team, in meetings and with videos, practicing too to show improvements in matches.
“Villa Park is for us something very, very special. It should be like the four years that we are here – how we achieved this as a special place, our fortress. Tomorrow is a new challenge to show it.”
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