Aston Villa boss Emery allays injury fears ahead of Celtic clash

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has said that he has “enough players to compete and feel confident” after an injury to Tyrone Mings limited his options in defence ahead of the visit of Celtic in the Champions League.

Mings had come off in tears during Villa’s 1-1 draw with West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday and is a doubt for the visit of the Scottish side to Villa Park in the final game of the Champions League first phase.

With Pau Torres already sidelined with a broken foot and Diego Carlos leaving for Fenerbahce during the transfer window, Ezri Konsa is Villa’s only fit centre-back currently.

However, Emery said that his squad is strong enough to take up the challenge.

“If Mings is available he will play. We have injured players but this is something everyone has,” said Emery.

“We had Carlos, he wanted to leave and he was pushing us to let him leave. Even we wanted to replace him but we couldn’t do both at the same time.

“We had to accept it because the circumstances come like that. I believe we have the players we have in the squad.

“We have enough players to compete and feel confident. Some versatile players have to feel confident when they are playing, for example on Sunday with Lucas Digne playing at centre-back because he has a left foot for our build up.”

Villa, who were beaten 1-0 by Monaco last week, will be desperate for a win as they sit ninth with 13 points from seven matches and a win could help them finish in the top eight and qualify for the last 16 directly.

Unai’s update on Tyrone Mings: “It’s not a big injury but every day is going to be very important on how he could feel better or worse. We will train this afternoon and will see how he is feeling.” pic.twitter.com/p5c9CnAOm9

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 28, 2025

Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic, meanwhile, are 18th with 12 points.

“If we are reaching it, of course, I want to be in the top eight. If we have the opportunity, it’s fantastic,” Emery said.

“Last week I was a little bit pessimistic after the match against Monaco, but overall we are doing a fantastic way. It’s not in our hands, but other teams have to win in case we are winning.”

Celtic have only won one of their last 21 away games in the Champions League (D5 L15) and are winless in 11 since beating Anderlecht in September 2017.

Former Liverpool and Leicester City boss Rodgers has won nine of his 19 career meetings with Aston Villa (D4 L6).

“Celtic are a very prestigious club, who’ve won the Champions League. We are excited and motivated with our supporters to enjoy this way,” the Villa boss said.

“I have played against them in Champions League before with other clubs and their supporters are going to bring an atmosphere in Villa Park.”