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Aston Villa will hope to end their winless run tomorrow when they travel to Mick McCarthy's Ipswich Town. Before then, we have all the latest injury news and match reports from both the senior squad and the women's team. Check it out:
Tshiback
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It's not quite Pogback is it?! But terrible wordplay aside, Aston Villa are boosted by the news that Aaron Tshibola has recovered from injury, and is available for selection this weekend.
The former Reading man picked up an injury following the Huddersfield game and has been forced to sit out the last four fixtures. Now back to fitness, it will be interesting to see where Tshibola fits in, given that Ashley Westwood and Mile Jedinak have looked solid in recent games. In any case, an extra body in centre midfield is absolutely a boost for Villa, especially when you consider the lack of shape that the side found itself in against Nottingham Forest by the end.
Jack's back (maybe)
Aaron Tshibola might not be the only player to make his return tomorrow, as both Jack Grealish and Albert Adomah are in contention.
Jack Grealish picked up a knock playing for the England U21's, and whilst it didn't stop him from playing against Nottingham Forest, he missed the midweek game against Brentford as a result. One of Aston Villa's best players so far this season, getting Jack back will be key. His width would allow Jonathan Kodjia to play more centrally, which seems to be his best position.
Another potential return is new right winger Albert Adomah, who recently signed from Middlesbrough, and picked up a groin injury shortly thereafter. If he is fit, it is likely that he will start on the bench and potentially come on as a substitute to make his first appearance in the Claret and Blue.
Ross McCormack meanwhile is an injury doubt, whilst Ritchie De Laet will definitely miss out.
Right back options
As previously mentioned, new boy Ritchie De Laet has suffered a serious knee injury, and his season is over already. This is a huge blow for Villa, because right back is probably the weakest position in the squad. So lets take a look at the potential replacements, in order of preference:
- Leandro Bacuna
Bacuna isn't a natural right back, but of all of the options, he probably brings the most to the table. He is competent, if not great defensively, but he is dangerous going forward. Sure, being good offensively isn't the best attribute for a defender, but he is still the best of a bad bunch.
2. Alan Hutton
Please no. Like, seriously. The dude looks like a deer in the headlights when he has the ball. Add to that a lack of positional awareness, Alan Hutton, though a top bloke, should be nowhere near the starting eleven.
3. Micah Richards
If Alan Hutton is bad, what does that make Micah Richards? The guy plays like a U9s player, just running for the ball, irrespective of whatever position he plays. Massive liability. No thank you.
4. Jordan Lyden
Lyden doesn't scare me as much as Hutton and Richards, but he's still very much an unknown quantity. No harm in playing him I guess.
Brazil beaters
The England Women's U20s side played Brazil in Los Angeles yesterday, and won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Aston Villa Ladies' own Sarah Mayling. Check out the goal here:
@sarah_mayling England top the group in America #Lionesses pic.twitter.com/OlWg6L7re7
— WomensSoccerUnited (@WSUasa) September 15, 2016
Note the time of the goal and take note Aston Villa seniors, it is in fact possible for us to score in the last ten minutes as well as the opposition. Crazy, right?!
The women are in action again today against the USA. I'm not English, but any side with Villa players in get my support, so lets hope they win!
Check back on the site tomorrow for live coverage of Ipswich Town vs Aston Villa. And don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter!