While last year was a breakthrough season for Aston Villa, this year’s follow up campaign is looking pretty strong too. At least so far, as they’re sitting pretty high up in the table, both in the Premier League and in the Champions League. And they’re a pretty fit side too, with just two injury/fitness concerns: Robin Olsen (head) and Tyrone Mings (knee).
Here is what manager Unai Emery has said about the fitness situations
UEFA Champions League Matchday 3 of 8
Bologna at Aston Villa
Kickoff: Tues. Oct. 22, 8pm, Villa Park, Birmingham, UK
Aston Villa Preview Material: Team News Starting XI Prediction
UCL Standing, Form: Aston Villa 6th, 6pts, +4 GD, WW Bologna 26th, 1 pts, -2 GD, DL
“Only still being out, he is training, but not 100% with us, is Robin Olsen,” said Emery. “He is not in the squad, but the other players are available, and it’s good news.”
As for Tyrone Mings, he wasn’t named in the squad that beat Fulham FC, but he could very likely be in the matchday here. Boubacar Kamara did make the bench, but went an unused substitute.
They are getting better. [Boubacar] Kamara and [Tyrone] Mings are available; they are going to travel with us to Fulham.’
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network and RG.org. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the Washington Post and ESPN. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter.