Alex Moreno, Diego Carlos, Douglas Luiz - Aston Villa team news and full squad vs Brighton
Here’s the team news from Bodymoor Heath with Unai Emery providing updates on Alex Moreno and Diego Carlos
Aston Villa can cement their place in the Europa Conference League this Sunday with victory over Brighton at Villa Park.
It promises to be a special atmosphere in B6 with supporters desperate to show their appreciation for Unai Emery and his players after their remarkable run of form across the last seven months.
Emery, 51, has taken 46 points from his 24 matches in charge, a haul that puts him behind only Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta for points-per-game.
To the all-important team news ahead of Sunday’s showdown (4.30pm) and Villa look set to be without Alex Moreno. The Spaniard picked up a hamstring strain moments after replacing Lucas Digne at Anfield last weekend.
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Moreno jumped for a header with Virgil van Dijk and tweaked his muscle before he was forced off after just 12 minutes of action.
Speaking about his injured full-back, Emery sighed: “Alex Moreno… I think it’ll be more difficult to be ready (vs Brighton). It’s a small injury but I don’t think he’ll be available for Sunday.”
Elsewhere, centre-back Diego Carlos wasn’t involved at Liverpool with Villa naming just eight substitutes - including two goalkeepers - on their Premier League bench.
Manager Emery confirmed after Villa’s 1-1 draw that Carlos had picked up an injury during training, and is touch-and-go to be available for Sunday’s home clash against Brighton.
“Diego Carlos as well had a small injury,” he said. “We don’t know if we can get him available for [Brighton].”
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Fellow centre-back Calum Chambers also missed last week’s squad after picking up a sickness bug which forced him to miss training sessions on Thursday and Friday.
Midfield ace Douglas Luiz, meanwhile, uploaded an Instagram photo of himself in bed on Monday afternoon hinting how he was also unwell. Douglas’ fellow Brazilian Philippe Coutinho has been ruled out for the remainder of the season having suffered another injury setback. Coutinho’s last appearance came against Arsenal on February 18.
And lastly, back-up goalkeeper Jed Steer is also out for the remainder of the campaign having failed to recover from an Achilles injury. The 30-year-old will leave Villa this summer following the expiration of his contract.
Aston Villa squad vs Brighton
Goalkeepers: Martinez, Olsen, Sinisalo.
Defenders: Cash, Konsa, Mings, A.Young, Digne.
Midfielders: McGinn, J.Ramsey, Buendia, Douglas Luiz, Kamara, Dendoncker, Buendia.
Attackers: Watkins, Bailey, Duran, Traore.
Doubtful: Diego Carlos, Alex Moreno, Chambers.
Ruled out: Steer, Coutinho.
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