Summer signing Johan Manzambi provided the only scoring when Aston Villa beat Newcastle United 1-0 this past weekend. It was his third goal in the past four games, and he’s truly feeling it right now. However, he also felt a knock, and there is a small chance he might not play on Wednesday, when Viking come to town for a Champions League clash. It is more likely that he will play in midweek, but probably in a more limited role than in the win over the Geordies.
UEFA Champions League Matchday 2 of 8
Kickoff: Wed. Oct 21, 8pm
Venue: Villa Park, Birmingham, UK
UCL Standing, Form: Aston Villa 3rd, 6 pts WW Viking FK 27th, 1 pt, LD
Result Probability, According to Google: Aston Villa win 79% Draw 13% Viking FK win 8%
Aston Villa Team News
“It’s not clear,” Villa manager Unai Emery said after the game on Saturday. “He was tired – he felt something, but the first check we did is that it’s not something big.'”
The win also came with a price- English fullback Aaron Wan-Bissaka suffered a hamstring injury, and he is set for a spell on the sidelines now.
“I think it’s (his) hamstring,” Emery said. “He played fantastic.”
So he’ll be out for a couple/few weeks. Emery gave a positive fitness update at the same time however, noting that “Ian Maatsen will come back to join the group this week.”
Maatsen has overcome an ankle injury, and although he almost certainly won’t feature in midweek, he should be okay for next weekend, most likely. Modo Cisse (unspecified) could join him, as Emery noted that he is also returning to full training this week.
Elsewhere a different summer signing, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, is ineligible for the UCL, so he’ll miss out here.
And then finally, George Hemmings, who has been battling a knee injury, is expected to be passed fit for this one. Otherwise, this fitness news remains the same.
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.