Aston Villa defender Diego Carlos has refuted Unai Emery's suggestion that he is injured ahead of Wednesday night's clash against Everton in the Premier League.

Ahead of the match at Goodison Park. where David Moyes will be returning to the home dugout for the first time in 11 and a half years, Emery was asked for updates on injuries in the squad. He responded: "Pau Torres, John McGinn are not available for tomorrow.

"Different injuries and different times for them to start again training with us. [Ross] Barkley is two or three weeks more.

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"McGinn will need one week minimum to be with us to train and play. Pau Torres is longer, six to eight weeks.

"Carlos is not fit. He is still being out of the team with a small injury.

"Emi Martinez trained this morning feeling good. In case tomorrow morning he is feeling good, he will be [in the team]."

However, when these quotes were posted onto a Villa fan account on Instagram, Carlos moved quickly to reject Emery's comments. He replied: "I'm not injured," accompanied with a shrug of the shoulders emoji.

This has understandably led to confusion about the centre-back's fitness and future at Villa Park after he has been linked with the exit door in recent weeks. The Telegraph has claimed that Carlos has been up for sale in the past two transfer windows with Villa demanding £10m for his services.

Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce are one of the clubs to have been linked with a move for the centre-back. The 31-year-old has made ten appearances for Villa this season, most recently playing the full 90 minutes in the 2-2 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion last month.

Carlos has 18 months left on his contract at Villa. He joined from Sevilla in 2022.