The Aston Villa head coach revealed that the Belgian midfielder trained with the team on Monday but is not yet sure if he will be available to start
Aston Villa head into the Europa League final against Freiburg on Wednesday aiming to secure continental glory for the first time since their 1982 European Cup triumph.
Unai Emery, preparing for what will be his sixth Europa League final, admits that there are still doubts over key midfielder Amadou Onana.
The Belgian has been suffering from a calf injury in recent weeks, with the Basque coach having to find makeshift solutions with Boubacar Kamara ruled out for the season.
Emery deployed Victor Lindelof in the holding role for the 4-0 semi-final win over Nottingham Forest, but the Swede is also a doubt after picking up a foot injury against Liverpool.
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Speaking on Onana’s availability, Emery confirmed that he trained with the group on Monday but would make a late decision over whether he would start.
“He trained yesterday, he is going to train today and we will decide tomorrow if he is feeling 100% well,” he told the press.
“He is an important player for us but the last matches without him and without Boubacar Kamara, with different options we played. I am confident.”
Ross Barkley is not part of the Europa League squad, ruling out his availability, leaving Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz and the young Lamare Bogarde as Emery’s only other central options should Onana not be deemed fit.
