Unai Emery has provided an update on his Aston Villa squad ahead of their trip to Hull City, discussing the latest injury news, the club’s Champions League squad selection and his excitement about one of the academy’s emerging talents.
Emery revealed that Johan Manzambi is still unavailable as the summer signing continues to build up his fitness and work towards a return.
“No, not yet. He’s training with the group and getting better and feeling good but he will need some days more. I don’t know if for the Champions League on Tuesday or for the next match against Nottingham Forest.”
Villa will also be without Joao Gomes for the Hull clash due to suspension, while Amadou Onana remains sidelined as he recovers from reconstructive knee surgery. However, Emery was otherwise positive about the condition of his squad.
“No really bad news. I think the players they are ready and some players we have signed in the last week will get progressively better and better and understanding our way to play.
“Hopefully tomorrow we can do one step forward, playing better, competing better, and hopefully getting some points.”
The main talking point, however, was Villa’s Champions League squad. Because the club did not meet the competition’s required homegrown-player quota, Emery had to reduce his 25-man squad to 23 players. Summer signing Taylor Harwood-Bellis was one of the notable omissions, while young talents Modou Keba Cisse and Brian Madjo were also left out.
Emery highlights Brian Madjo’s potential
Madjo made his first Villa appearance last month after spending much of the year dealing with eligibility issues following his January transfer from Metz. When finally handed his opportunity in the UEFA Super Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain, the teenager immediately made an impression.
He scored a spectacular equaliser, becoming the youngest goalscorer in the competition’s history and surpassing a record that had stood for 30 years and previously belonged to Patrick Kluivert.
Although Madjo has not been included in Villa’s Champions League squad, Emery made it clear that supporters should expect to see more of the teenager in European competition. The manager also expressed his excitement about the youngster’s development over both the immediate and longer-term future.
“Madjo is 17 years old, still being so, so young, and of course he will have more opportunities to play with us this year or the next year in Europe.”
It is easy to understand why Emery is so enthusiastic about Madjo. The 6ft 4in forward has already attracted comparisons with former Premier League strikers such as Romelu Lukaku and Emile Heskey because of his impressive physical presence.
His performance against PSG also earned widespread praise. Stan Collymore described him as “a colossus of a man, reminiscent of a Lukaku when he comes towards the ball, holds it, pops it off and spins away”, while former striker Ally McCoist also highlighted Madjo’s physical attributes during his commentary on the match.
Emery also stressed that Madjo is part of a wider group of young players with significant potential at Villa, many of whom are still adapting to senior football.
“A lot of young players with huge potential. Some can show the potential quick and some take time. But, we are very motivated, very excited, how we can get and keep the same level we had in Premier League.”
Madjo is not the only young player facing a wait for his opportunity. Keba Cisse, another promising addition to Emery’s squad, was also omitted from the Champions League group but remains part of the club’s long-term plans.
With Villa continuing to develop young talent and Emery showing clear belief in the next generation, the message from Bodymoor Heath is one of patience. Following a summer of major squad changes, the club may need time for its new arrivals and youngsters to settle, but there is plenty of optimism surrounding what could come next.