Unai Emery has backed 17-year-old Brian Madjo to earn another Champions League opportunity after Aston Villa omitted him from their European squad.
Key takeaways
- Villa’s Champions League league-phase schedule includes meetings with Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona.
- Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Modou Keba Cisse were also left out of the squad.
- Johan Manzambi is training again and could return for next week’s match against Club Brugge.
- Villa have opened the Premier League campaign with defeats by Brighton and Arsenal.
European squad decisions
Harwood-Bellis and Cisse, both recent arrivals, were the other significant absentees from the group selected for Villa’s eight league-phase fixtures. The schedule features high-profile games against Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona.
Madjo made a memorable first impression when he scored during an outstanding display in last month’s UEFA Super Cup final, which Villa narrowly lost to PSG. However, an injury has kept the teenager sidelined ever since.
Speaking before Villa’s journey to Hull, Emery acknowledged that the selection process had been difficult for everyone involved. He said the club had examined the situation carefully before making its choices.
Emery pointed out that Harwood-Bellis has committed his long-term future to Villa and should have further chances to represent the club in Europe, potentially after January or in seasons to come.
He also stressed that Madjo remains only 17 and will have plenty more opportunities to feature for Villa in European competition, either later this season or in the future.
Injury update and Villa’s difficult start
Manzambi, another of Villa’s summer recruits, has not yet played for the club because of a knee problem. Emery said the Switzerland international has joined team training, is progressing well professionally and feels positive, but still needs several more days. The manager hopes he could be available for next week’s Champions League opener against Club Brugge.
The team that finally ended Villa’s 30-year wait for a trophy by winning the Europa League last season has since lost much of its central core. Ollie Watkins, Youri Tielemans, Ezri Konsa, Morgan Rodgers, Emi Martinez and Lucas Digne have all departed.
Villa’s response in the new season has been sluggish, with Emery’s side beaten by Brighton and Arsenal in their first two Premier League matches.
