'Not convinced' - Belgian media making the same point after Youri Tielemans penalty miss
Aston Villa stars have been in action for their countries across the international break, with Youri Tielemans enduring a frustrating night for Belgium against France
Almost as important as Aston Villa players returning from international duty healthy is coming back with confidence. Unfortunately, the club have been dealt a hit on both fronts.
The latest fitness doubt for Saturday's match with Fulham is Jaden Philogene, the winger picking up a small injury with England Under-21s. He joins Amadou Onana, Ezri Konsa, John McGinn and more racing back to full fitness.
That means Unai Emery's limited options are going to be focused to get a result against an opponent who have made a step up in the early months of the season. Especially without his national team-mate alongside him, Youri Tielemans has a highly pressurised job in midfield, but arrives back to England with somewhat of a mental knock to overcome.
On Monday night Belgium completed their latest round of Nations League fixtures by hosting France - certainly a difficult match for any nation, let alone a struggling one. Still, Tielemans - captaining the Red Devils - and his team-mates took the initiative in the opening stages.
Striker Lois Openda was felled by Arsenal's William Saliba, handing Tielemans the opportunity to strike first from the penalty spot, though the Villa man hit over the crossbar. This was the flashpoint that saw events turn in the French's favour, and they went on to win 2-1 with 10 men.
With plenty highlighting the fact that this is now the 27-year-old's third consecutive penalty miss for club and country - thankfully the other two coming for Leicester City and not Villa - Birmingham Live looks at how his country's media reacted...
Punished
Het Laatste Nieuws wrote: "Enthusiastic. That's how the Belgians started the match. Tielemans, Openda and [Leandro] Trossard threatened in the opening phase. And after twenty minutes the Red Devils got the chance to make it 1-0. Openda was tackled to the ground in the sixteen-yard box by Saliba. The Heizel held its breath for Tielemans' penalty. But the captain kicked high over. These are chances that the French do not miss. Faes committed stupid handball in his own penalty area, [Randal] Kolo Muani did shoot his penalty."
'Keep trying'
Het Nieuwsblad wrote: "Well, from eleven meters Belgium had a good chance to take the lead. Only that was without counting on Youri Tielemans. He had also missed his last two penalties and now also fired the ball high over the bar. Well, then you can keep trying."
Golden opportunity
Het Belang van Limburg wrote: "Things looked good for the Red Devils for a long time in their Nations League match against France. After 24 minutes, the Red Devils also had a golden opportunity to open the score from the penalty spot. However, Youri Tielemans fired over. Halfway through the first half, Lois Openda slipped through the French offside trap for yet another time. Face to face with the goalkeeper, Openda still cut back, which caused William Saliba to make a mistake: penalty. After a VAR check, Youri Tielemans was given a golden opportunity to open the score. Unfortunately for the Belgians, Tielemans aimed the penalty over the goal."
Romelu regrets
De Standaard wrote: "Only they fell short where they had been lacking before: clinically converting their chances. The French did exactly the opposite and won 1–2 – in the end with ten men. Captain Youri Tielemans took responsibility, but kicked high over. The Aston Villa midfielder had also missed his last two penalties at club level. Romelu Lukaku is also missed in that aspect of the game for the Belgians. The missed penalty had woken up the French and after a good chance for Bradley Barcola, and ditto save by Koen Casteels, Wout Faes unfortunately committed handball in the sixteen. Randal Kolo Muani converted the penalty, France came to 0-1 against the image of the match."
'Not entirely convincing'
De Morgen - "Even from the penalty spot it didn't work. Tielemans had sent Openda alone on goal, after which the RB Leipzig striker was mowed down in the sixteen by William Saliba. After a VAR check for alleged offside, Youri Tielemans - not entirely convinced at first glance - stepped up to the ball, but the Aston Villa midfielder, who was nevertheless very much in the match, shot high over."