Unai Emery confirms Aston Villa injury before Lille clash

Unai Emery has confirmed Clement Lenglet has picked up a small injury ahead of Aston Villa’s Europa Conference League quarter-final clash with LOSC Lille on Thursday.

The Frenchman, completely omitted from the matchday squad as the Villans drew 3-3 with Brentford on Saturday, will be sidelined for a short while longer. It’s also been assured Matty Cash is working his way back to fitness but is unavailable for a similar period.

“Tyrone Mings and Emi Buendia are progressing well - they are starting to be on the field, Emery told Birmingham Live on Wednesday afternoon. “The last players who have problems are Cash and Lenglet. Cash is still working alone, he is close to starting with us practicing. Clement Lenglet has a small problem but is not available for tomorrow,” Emery said.

In other team news, Boubacar Kamara and Jacob Ramsey - alongside Mings and Buendia will miss the rest of the current season. Douglas Luiz, banned for the next two Premier League fixtures against Arsenal and AFC Bournemouth is expected to start both legs against Lille.

It’s a crucial fixture this midweek as Villa take on their first European quarter-final in 26 years. Lille, fourth in the French top tier, will be no pushover either so it’s set to be an entertaining clash. The away leg in northern France is bound to be exhilarating, too, as Lille have lost just once on home soil all season.