The reason why Emi Martinez and Marco Asensio are not in Aston Villa squad vs Brentford

Emiliano Martinez and Marco Asensio have not travelled with Aston Villa to take on Brentford in the Premier League as the pair have picked up injuries, BirminghamWorld understands.

Losing just one of the two would be damaging for Villa but it’s a double blow and one that could possibly carry over into the return leg against Club Brugge in the Champions League, depending on the extent of the injuries.

Unai Emery will be quizzed in the post-match press conference to determine exactly what injuries have caused Martinez and Asensio to miss out. In the meantime, the travelling Villa Park faithful will need to get behind Robin Olsen, who starts in goal, and Morgan Rogers who continues in the number 10 role.

Olsen being between the sticks will concern Villa fans as the Swede has conceded 28 goals in his 12 Premier League appearances since joining the club, and not all of those have even been starts. Olsen recently came on for the second half away at Crystal Palace and played poorly, letting in the three goals that sealed victory for Oliver Glasner’s side.

Asensio not starting this evening at least allows Leon Bailey to retain his spot at right midfield following his stunning half-volley to kick off in the scoring in the 3-1 win at Brugge midweek. Jacob Ramsey is in the XI on the other flank, starting ahead of winter loan signing Marcus Rashford.

Martinez and Asensio missing out against Brentford is bad enough but not being able to feature against Brugge at Villa Park on Wednesday would be even worse. Whether they’ll be able to play as Villa seek to hold onto their 3-1 aggregate lead awaits to be seen but we should know more from Emery later today.

Brentford have far better fortunes to Villa on the team news front as Thomas Frank has been able to welcome back Christian Norgaard and Mathias Jensen following concussion and an adductor injury respectively. Fabio Carvalho isn’t in the squad but the winger wasn’t expected to start anyway.

Read on to see the full starting lineups and substitutes for both teams at the Gtech Community Stadium.