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Villa won’t be represented in Copa América third-place match

Brad Guzan’s United States will play Carlos Sánchez’s Colombia for third tonight in the Copa América Centenario, but neither Villa man is expected to feature for his nation.

Colombia argues with referee Joel Aguilar Chicas after being given his second yellow card against Chile during a semi-final match in the 2016 Copa America Centernario at Soldier Field on June 22, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. Chile defeated Colombia 2-0
Colombia argues with referee Joel Aguilar Chicas after being given his second yellow card against Chile during a semi-final match in the 2016 Copa America Centernario at Soldier Field on June 22, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. Chile defeated Colombia 2-0
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Tonight, for the second time in this Copa América, the United States will meet Colombia. After a 2-0 Colombia win in the tournament’s opening match, the only two teams featuring Aston Villa players are set to see each other again in a battle for third place.

The only issue? Neither Villa player is set to run out for their nations in Glendale, Arizona, tonight.

Let’s start with Carlos Sánchez, which is a pretty easy case. La Roca, after looking pretty solid for most of the first half, was sent off in the second half of Colombia’s 2-0 semifinal loss to Chile on Wednesday, so he’s suspended for the third-place game. Pretty cut and dry there.

Brad Guzan’s a little more interesting one. Guzan looked good in stretches — and bad in others — as the American keeper during the tournament, but with the shot at a title gone, manager Jürgen Klinsmann is set to give former Everton and Manchester United man Tim Howard the start in net Saturday.

Provided Howard does go, Guzan signed his tournament off with a subpar performance, surrendering four goals in a one-sided loss to Argentina. The world’s No. 1 side had not issues with the United States, keeping the Yanks from registering a single shot.

If you’d have told us at the beginning of the week we were getting United States v. Colombia, Part II, it could’ve been a Villa reunion. But with both our guys out, there’s no extra reason for you to tune in tonight if you weren’t already planning on it.