Aston Villa striker Tammy Abraham is likely to miss out on the Arsenal match, Monday night, for two reasons. The 28-year-old is reportedly dealing with a groin/hip/pelvic region injury, albeit a minor one. However, there is a bigger reason, as to why he’ll miss out this weekend, and it relates to his club future.
Just seven months ago, Villa spent about £18 million to bring Tammy Abraham back to the Midlands club.
Arsenal at Aston Villa FC FYIs
Kickoff: Monday Aug. 31 8pm, Villa Park, Birmingham, UK
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PL Form: Arsenal W Aston Villa L
PL Standing: Arsenal 1st, 3 pts, Aston Villa FC 19th, 0 pts, +3 GD
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Now they’re ready to let him go again, this time on a loan deal to Ipswich Town. This development is being widely reported, by multiple outlets, and it could be over the line by the time this match kicks off.
Elsewhere summer signing Joao Gomes is suspended for this match, due to his red card sending off in the season opening disaster.
Meanwhile Johan Manzambi (knee) and Brian Madjo (ankle/foot) are moving closer towards a return, but this clash will come substantially too soon.
Leon Bailey and Amadou Onana remain sidelined as longer term absentees.
Villa looked like a total train wreck in the season opener, and now they’ll take on the reigning league champions. However, it is worth noting that Villa Park was one of the few places where Arsenal lost last season.
Football is quite a funny game, at times, and anything can happen.
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, Ratings and RG. 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 and the Washington Post.