Unai Emery confirms Jadon Sancho injury blow but Matty Cash return ahead of Aston Villa’s Europa League quarter-final first leg vs Bologna.
Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery has provided an update on his squad ahead of Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final first leg against Bologna.
Villa travel to the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara looking to take control of the tie, having already beaten the Italian side earlier in the competition during the league phase at Villa Park. With a place in the semi-finals at stake, Emery is managing a squad dealing with a few injury concerns.
The main setback comes in attack, with Jadon Sancho unavailable after picking up a problem during the international break. The winger joins Boubacar Kamara on the sidelines.
“Sancho is not going to be out for a long time, but he’s still being out.
“Hopefully in a few days, maybe one or two weeks, he’s coming back, but he’s progressing well.
“He’s not available for tomorrow.”
Matty Cash injury return boosts Aston Villa
There is better news elsewhere for Villa, with Matty Cash fit and ready to feature. The right-back recently returned from injury in the Premier League win over West Ham United and is now back in contention for European action.
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Speaking ahead of the match, Cash highlighted the importance of the upcoming fixtures as Villa enter a decisive period of the season.
“It’s been a while since we’ve been together as a group after everyone went off doing different things, but it’s good to be back,” Cash said in the Europa League pre-match press conference.
“We’ve had a few sessions since we’ve been back and nearly a full week’s training, so full focus is on tomorrow’s game.
“We’ve had enough time to prepare and get the manager’s ideas for tomorrow.”
With several key matches on the horizon, the defender stressed the need to maintain focus.
“We’ve got a massive month or so coming up with so many important games.
“All the hard work we’ve done in the season all matters now. The next month and a half is key to how we can finish strongly.”
Despite the absence of Sancho, Aston Villa head into the tie with momentum and a largely fit squad, as they aim to take a positive result back to Villa Park.
