Unai Emery admits uncertain severity of recent Aston Villa injury

Aston Villa midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo remains a doubt ahead of the Villans’ Premier League hosting of Chelsea on Saturday.

Unai Emery has confirmed the Italian has an injury but the extent is still unknown, meaning it’s unlikely any risks will be taken. Morgan Rogers, the Villans’ first goalscorer in the 3-1 win over AFC Bournemouth on Sunday, is likely to continue filling in on the left flank as a result.

“He has an injury but we have to wait how long it’s going to be. Hopefully, it’s not a lot,” Emery said of Galatasaray loanee Zaniolo after Sunday’s victory.

A struggler at the start of the season but more recently a hero with a goal away at West Ham United and a stunning showing in the win at Arsenal, Zaniolo will be missed. Emery has been impressed with the Italy international’s turnaround but there’s an outside chance he won’t play again this season – if the problem is severe.

Villa have struggled with injuries this term, more so than most other teams in the Premier League. Emiliano Buendia and Tyrone Mings both suffered season-ending anterior cruciate ligament tears at the beginning, while Boubacar Kamara sustained a similar knee issue in February.

Jacob Ramsey won’t play again this campaign due to a foot injury, whereas Alex Moreno has had several spells out with muscular problems – more recently a calf issue.

The circumstances have been far from ideal as Villa have had a mightily congested fixture schedule but Emery has been determined to not let excuses creep in.

“The most important thing is to recover and try to get the full energy again in our mind and in our body,” the head coach said on Sunday.

“When we are playing more or less being comfortable on the pitch, even when we are feeling a little bit tired, we can keep the consistency,” Emery assured.