Villa assess Amadou Onana fitness ahead of Europa League semi-final first leg vs Nottingham Forest
Aston Villa are waiting on a final decision regarding Amadou Onana’s fitness ahead of Thursday’s Europa League semi-final first leg against Nottingham Forest.
The Belgian midfielder has been an important figure in Unai Emery’s side this season, playing a key role in their push for Champions League qualification while also featuring regularly in Europe.
His presence in midfield has brought balance and physicality, making his potential absence a concern at a crucial stage of the campaign.
Onana was not included in the squad for Villa’s narrow 1-0 defeat at the weekend, raising immediate doubts about his availability for the midweek clash.
Speaking after that game, Emery admitted the situation remains uncertain and will depend on how the player progresses in the coming days.
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“I don’t know if he will be available for Thursday. It’s about how every day he is progressing,” the Villa boss said.
“I don’t know if he will be ready for tomorrow, Thursday or next Sunday. The only player we know can’t play is [Ross] Barkley as he is not in the list.
“He was not feeling good yesterday. He had some small pain.”
Emery is expected to provide a clearer update during his pre-match press conference on Wednesday, with Villa hoping for positive news ahead of one of their biggest games of the season.
A familiar replacement for Forest
If Onana is unable to recover in time, Douglas Luiz is among the leading candidates to step into the midfield. The Brazilian adds an interesting subplot to the tie, having previously spent time at Nottingham Forest earlier in the season before returning to Villa, which didn’t particularly go to plan as he earned minimal game-time.
With a place in the final at stake, Villa will be eager to have as many key players available as possible, but for now, Onana’s status remains firmly in doubt.
