Aston Villa could be handed double injury boost for Ipswich clash after fresh blow
Aston Villa suffered yet another injury blow on Sunday when Ezri Konsa picked up a suspected muscle problem in the first half of the win over Tottenham.
Chasing back as Spurs led a rapid counter-attack, Konsa pulled up before Emi Martinez made a brilliant stop to deny Son Heung-min from close range. After beating the ground in frustration, Konsa received treatment from Villa’s medical staff before coming off.
Replaced by Lamare Bogarde, the 21-year-old held his own at centre-back alongside Boubacar Kamara. He made an excellent block on Son early in the second half and deserved to be part of a defence which kept a clean sheet, but Mathys Tel halved the away side’s deficit late on.
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Konsa could now face a spell on the sidelines, but the positive news is that Villa won’t be without a centre-back against Ipswich on Saturday. After signing Axel Diasi on loan for the remainder of the campaign at the very end of the winter window, the Chelsea loanee will surely start in defence against the Tractor Boys.
Tyrone Mings, meanwhile, was spotted in training last week and could be in contention to return to action this weekend. If so, Villa will have two fit centre-backs to face Ipswich, before two more league games against Liverpool on Wednesday, February 19 and then Chelsea on Saturday, February 22.
However, Disasi won’t be available to face Chelsea at Villa Park as he is unable to face his parent club as a loan player.
Unai Emery will give injury updates later this week, but in his pre-Tottenham press conference on Friday, he was optimistic about Ollie Watkins’ chances of returning on Saturday.
The striker suffered a groin injury in the 2-0 defeat at Wolves and was replaced at the break. He is expected to return to training this week.
