Aston Villa will be without Jota when they host Brighton on Saturday although striker Jonathan Kodjia is available. Midfielder Jota recently underwent hernia surgery and is set to spend the next few weeks on the sidelines.
Kodjia has managed just one Premier League appearance so far this season due to ankle and cheekbone injuries, but he is now fit and could be involved against Albion although he may have to settle for a place among the substitutes.
Centre-half Bjorn Engels was forced off in the latter stages of Villa’s 5-1 win at Norwich prior to the international break after picking up a knock, but he has now recovered and is likely to keep his place in the starting side.
Fellow defender James Chester is closing in on a return to action after a hamstring injury although the game comes too soon for him.
Chester, who played in one pre-season game, hasn’t made a competitive appearance for Villa since the 2-1 win over Ipswich in January after he missed the second half of the promotion-winning campaign.
Brighton are boosted by the return to fitness of summer signing Leandro Trossard who has been sidelined since August with a groin problem.
Trossard has one goal in three Premier League outings for Albion so far and comes back into contention after returning to training.
Defender Shane Duffy is also available again after missing Brighton’s last two games with a calf injury.
Duffy played twice for the Republic of Ireland during the international break and it remains to be seen if he will return to the starting XI after Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster impressed in his absence.
Albion boss Graham Potter remains without Bernardo (knock) and Jose Izquierdo (knee) for the trip to Villa Park.
Older Post
Mandzukic open to United switch
COMMENTS