Cash Tieleman had yet another serious injury….
When Aston Villa visits Teeside this weekend to play Middlesbrough in the FA Cup, Unai Emery may offer players who have been benched this season a chance.
Following their victory over Burnley last Saturday, his team was granted three days off before returning to Bodymoor Heath on Wednesday. Given that Villa has played ten games in the last five weeks, it was well deserved.
In the last month, they have played without Pau Torres and Youri Tielemans due to bans, and Boubacar Kamara and Matty Cash have also been absent. Tielemans is almost fully recovered from an ankle injury, although Lucas Digne was hurt in the Boxing Day loss at Manchester United.
The defender, who is still having trouble making an impression at Villa Park, is described as “another [transaction] that becomes complex” by the Spanish publication Sport. Barca hoped that his time on loan at Villa would result in a “definite” sale.
This is not the case right now. Lenglet, who has virtually never done so in the Premier League this season, was unable to capitalize on Pau Torres’ discomfort in order to clear his name,” Sport continues. “A player who is among the most paid in the team and whose contract runs until 2026 is not in Xavi’s plans is terrible news for Barca’s hopes in the market.”
Unai Emery praised Lenglet his professionalism and stated he was pleased with the player during a recent press conference. “We have been working with him every day to try to grasp our approach, and he is a really good professional,” he stated. Even on the days when the players had the day off, he would come in to work extra.
“I am chatting with Lenglet and letting him know how pleased I am with him. He is essential to the team and to me. We came to an agreement for him to assist us on behalf of the club. Nothing in that relationship has, in my opinion, altered.”
When the defender’s loan period ends in the summer, Villa will not have the option to purchase him.
