Aston Villa failed to impress during yesterday’s 1-1 draw against West Ham at Villa Park. However, the result wasn’t the biggest issue for the Villans, with Villa now in the middle of a defensive injury crisis.
Diego Carlos joined Fenerbahçe on Wednesday, but that has now meant they are short at centre-back.
Pau Torres is currently out injured, which dealt a huge blow to the Premier League side against West Ham, with Tyrone Mings having to go off in the first half due to a knee problem. He and Torres look unlikely to feature against Celtic on Wednesday, meaning Emery will need to be creative in who he picks at centre-back.
Left-back Lucas Digne may have to do a job, and with Champions League squad registrations made before the campaign began, it means that Emery can’t bring in a player from the Villa youth academy to play.
This is a massive loss for Villa’s chances of a place in the top 8, but more importantly, a huge positive update for Celtic, who, with Kyogo set to leave, can now know Villa won’t be at full strength.
There is an outside chance that Celtic can finish in the top with a win and results going their way. So, if the Hoops do secure the three points, it could see them avoid the knockout playoffs and seal a place in the last 16.
