Aston Villa vs Ipswich Town injury news: eight ruled out & three doubtful for Premier League clash

Aston Villa and Ipswich Town will both look to build momentum in the Premier League after excellent FA Cup performances at the weekend. Villa sailed into the fifth round of the competition with an excellent 2-1 victory over Spurs while Ipswich made their Premier League quality show in a 4-1 win away to Championship side Coventry City.

However, both sides are desperate to build momentum in the Premier League if they are to achieve their goals after substandard results and performances in their previous top-flight outings.

Unai Emery’s side slipped up in a 2-0 defeat to Wolves in a result which came as a major blow to the team’s Champions League qualification ambitions, and Ipswich’s survival hopes in a dismal weekend for the Tractor Boys which saw them fall to a costly 2-1 loss against basement side Southampton.

The Villans will hope to be back to their best against Ipswich this weekend and could hand debuts to loanees Marcus Rashford and Marcos Asensio. Meanwhile, Jaden Philogene, whose return to Emery’s team was short-lived, will have a huge point to prove on his return to Villa Park.

However, both managers also have their fair share of injury issues to deal with this weekend. Ahead of kick-off, we take a look at the injury situation of both teams.

Ipswich Town injury news

Ipswich Town are without long-term absentees Wesley Burns and Chiedozie Ogbene until the end of the season. Christian Walton is out until April with a groin problem while Conor Chaplin is still yet to return to training after picking up a knee injury.

Marquee summer signing Sammie Szmodics has struggled with an ankle injury in recent weeks and faces a late fitness test ahead of the trip to Villa Park. Kieran McKenna explained: “I don't know if it's a recurrence, but it's the same ankle, so the chances are it's probably linked. That's a big blow, no doubt about it. We'll keep our fingers crossed.”

Aston Villa injury news

Ross Barkley, who has missed the last five matches with a calf injury, is due to return to full training this week but is unlikely to be ready to start on Saturday. Key defender Ezri Konsa was withdrawn before the 30 minute mark against Spurs after beating the ground in frustration after picking up an injury. He is still being assessed along with experienced centre-back partner Tyrone Mings, who picked up a small knee injury in January.

Polish international wing-back Matty Cash, meanwhile, was sidelined for “three to four weeks”, in Emery’s words, by an unknown muscle injury at the end of January. He is expected to miss the upcoming games against Ipswich and Liverpool.

Spanish international Pau Torres, who was a stalwart last term, remains on the sidelines as he continues his rehab from an ankle injury. Early March remains the nearest possible return date for the 28-year-old.

Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins suffered a groin injury during the recent 2-0 league defeat to Wolves and it appears that he is still feeling the effects. The England international didn’t train last week, according to Emery, and it is not yet clear when he will be back on the turf at Bodymoor Heath. He is a doubt heading into the game against Ipswich, with both Donyell Malen and Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio being potential alternatives in the number nine role.