Aston Villa manager Unai Emery remains firm that his squad’s ongoing fitness concerns will serve as no excuse as preparations wrap up for their upcoming Champions League fixture at home against Viking on Wednesday. The Spanish coach addressed the media on Tuesday, acknowledging the heavy toll of sidelined personnel while demanding strong collective and individual displays across the pitch.
Villa head into the European encounter following a narrow 1-0 victory away at Newcastle United in the Premier League, courtesy of a first-half header from Johan Manzambi. However, the physical toll continues to mount for the West Midlands club, leaving Emery to navigate a challenging schedule with limited resources and key players missing from his starting lineup.
Slab of Sidelined Stars
- Johan Manzambi will miss the European fixture after picking up a small injury during the weekend win over Newcastle United.
- Defenders Matteo Ruggeri and Aaron Wan-Bissaka remain out of action, with Wan-Bissaka expected to spend three to four weeks on the sidelines.
- Long-term absentee Amadou Onana continues his recovery alongside other key squad members who have missed significant portions of the campaign.
- Full-back Ian Maatsen has provided a timely boost by returning to training with the main group this week.
Looking Ahead to Viking
Despite the growing casualty ward, Emery remains confident in the depth of his squad as they prepare to face the Norwegian visitors at Villa Park. Villa thrashed Fenerbahce 6-0 in their previous European outing and are targeting a third successive continental victory, though Emery warned that Viking pose a serious threat after drawing 3-3 with Bayern Munich.
Emery emphasized that every club competing in the tournament has earned their place and highlighted Viking’s capability to mix it with elite European opposition. With domestic and continental fixtures piling up, the manager insists his team must find solutions internally without relying on the absence of star performers as an excuse for dropped points.
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