Unai Emery on Leon Goretzka Injury and Aston Villa's Champions League Challenge
Unai Emery, manager of Aston Villa, confronts a tough selection problem as the team prepares for a key Champions League match against Club Brugge. The Premier League side will be without Leon Goretzka, who continues to struggle with injury, impacting Villa's midfield strength.
Goretzka's Injury Proves a Setback
Emery admitted that losing Goretzka is a significant obstacle. The German midfielder, who joined Villa Park on a free transfer after a decorated spell at Bayern Munich, was expected to add experience to a midfield that has seen many changes this summer. Unfortunately, a reaction to increased training intensity delayed his debut for the club, leaving the coaching staff searching for other options during a difficult domestic run.
"Goretzka’s issue is a bit frustrating, but we have players who can replace him. When he’s back, hopefully he can get consistency in training and playing, and we can add his experience. He will help us in different competitions with the level he has," Emery explained.
Goretzka Updates Fans on Recovery
The midfielder shared an update with supporters via social media, explaining his body struggled to adjust to his new training regime after limited playtime towards the end of his time in Germany. The recovery period is expected to last at least a month, ruling him out until after the mid-September international fixtures.
"Unfortunately, my body has reacted to the increased workload after my time away from the pitch. It's frustrating, but I need this short break now to come back at full strength. I'll use the coming days, including the international break, to recover fully," Goretzka said.
Villa Seeks Fresh Start in Champions League
Aston Villa started the 2026-27 season poorly, with one draw and two losses in their first three Premier League games. This contrast with the excitement at the end of last season has made a win even more urgent.
"In the last match, we showed some collective improvements. Our goal for the Premier League remains clear as we progress, though results are not yet good enough. Tomorrow is a new test, and it’s in Europe," Emery said.
He reflected on Villa's achievement to reach the Champions League: "Being here is fantastic. We should be proud of finishing fourth in the league and winning in Europe. But this is a new chapter, very different. When we started, our vision might not have imagined four straight European seasons, including two in the Champions League."
Difficult Trip to Bruges Awaits
The visit to Belgium brings its own challenges. Villa looks to move past memories of a 1-0 defeat to Club Brugge in 2024's Champions League meeting. Emery will miss both Goretzka and Johan Manzambi due to injuries but welcomes Joao Gomes back from suspension.
Club Brugge comes into the game in strong form, having won four of their first five domestic matches this season.
- Competition: Champions League
- Opponent: Club Brugge (CLB)
- Date & Time: 8 Sept 2026, 18:45
- Venue: Away (Aston Villa - AVL)
