Pau Torres injury update emerges as Unai Emery issues pre-Man Utd team news clue

Unai Emery has revealed Pau Torres is touch-and-go ahead of Aston Villa's trip to Manchester United on Boxing Day. The summer signing had been nearly ever-present in the Premier League but missed the 1-1 draw with Sheffield United due to a knock picked up away at Brentford.

Clement Lenglet filled in at left centre-back in Pau's absence, while Diego Carlos was dropped to the bench as Ezri Konsa moved in the middle and Matty Cash played at right-back. Lenglet did a decent job on his first league start in claret and blue, meaning Emery isn't too worried ahead of Tuesday if Pau doesn't quite make it.

“Pau Torres is difficult. He’s getting better – it’s not a big injury. He could be [fit for Man Utd] but we have to wait," Emery said during Friday's press conference. "The red card of [Boubacar] Kamara means he’s out. The yellow card for [Matty] Cash – he’s out.

"I think the players we had today will more or less be the same players on Tuesday, without Cash. Maybe we can add in the squad Pau Torres but I’m happy with the players I have now available. We have to try to get a high performance in the squad. They have to be ready.

“Clement Lenglet is an experienced player, he’s a very good professional. His work every day on the training ground is fantastic and he’s wishing to play. He did it [against Sheffield United] and I want to keep the same level when some players are injured," Emery continued.

Will Pau Torres play against Manchester United?

Pau remains a doubt for the clash at Old Trafford but the good news is the injury isn't serious. If he doesn't play against the Red Devils, he's bound to be back for Burnley on December 30 or, failing that, the FA Cup trip to Middlesbrough on January 6.

Cash's suspension means that Diego Carlos is likely to be recalled to the starting XI regardless of Pau's presence, with Konsa set to fill in at right-back like he often does. Pau will play if fit but if not it will probably be Lenglet.

Left-back is perhaps the biggest selection headache Emery has in defence as both Lucas Digne and Alex Moreno have put in strong performances of late. It's genuinely a bit of a 50-50 call but Digne might have the slight advantage due to his greater experience.