Unai Emery provides a fitness update as Aston Villa prepare for their trip to face Liverpool.
Aston Villa have provided a series of fitness updates ahead of their Premier League showdown with Liverpool at Anfield this weekend.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference (via liverpoolfc.com), Unai Emery confirmed that Emiliano Buendia will sit out the fixture after sustaining an injury in Villa’s 1–0 win over Manchester City.
“He is not available for tomorrow, but his recovery is progressing well,” Emery explained. “With a few more days, we expect him to be fit and ready for the next matches.”
Buendia ruled out as Villa await Tielemans and Andres Garcia returns
Emery also revealed that Youri Tielemans and Andres Garcia remain unavailable but are making positive progress in their recoveries.
“Still the same players out,” the Villa boss said. “Youri Tielemans is improving and should rejoin full training next week. Andres is also getting better, though he still needs a few more weeks.”
With all three sidelined, Villa will be short on midfield depth for what promises to be a tough test against the reigning Premier League champions. Buendia’s creativity and Tielemans’ control in possession have been pivotal to Emery’s system, meaning players like Morgan Rogers and Boubacar Kamara could have key roles to play on Saturday night.
Liverpool team news and Elliott’s absence
Villa loanee Harvey Elliott will also miss the clash, as he is ineligible to face his parent club. The 22-year-old has impressed with his attitude since joining from Liverpool but has struggled for consistent minutes in the Midlands.
On the Liverpool side, Arne Slot may have Ryan Gravenberch available again after the midfielder returned to full training, though Curtis Jones and Alexander Isak remain sidelined. Slot expressed cautious optimism about Gravenberch’s recovery during his own press conference earlier today.
Villa come into the match buoyed by their victory over Manchester City, while Liverpool will be looking to bounce back after a 3–2 defeat to Brentford — setting the stage for a high-energy encounter under the Anfield lights.
