Aston Villa's Injury Crisis Deepens: Jaden Philogene a Doubt for Fulham Clash
Aston Villa's injury woes continue to pile up, with winger Jaden Philogene now a doubt for the Premier League clash against Fulham this weekend. Philogene sustained an injury while playing for England's Under-21 side during a European Championship qualifier against Ukraine on Friday.
The 22-year-old, who had made his first two starts of the season for Villa before the international break, was forced off in the 84th minute of the game. Initial scans revealed the injury was not as serious as initially feared, but it remains to be seen if he will be fit enough to feature against Fulham.
The Growing List of Concerns
Philogene's injury is the latest in a string of setbacks for Aston Villa, who have already been dealt blows with the injuries to Ezri Konsa, Jacob Ramsey, and Amadou Onana.
Konsa sustained a problem in the first half of Villa's Premier League game against Manchester United, which ruled him out of the England senior squad. Ramsey, who is hoping to return for the trip to Fulham, and Onana missed the match entirely due to injuries they sustained during the Champions League clash against Bayern Munich.
Emery's Frustration with Under-21 Call-Ups
Philogene's injury only adds to manager Unai Emery's frustration with the call-ups of Villa players to the England Under-21 side. Emery had previously been critical of the decision to call up Morgan Rogers for the under-21 team in August, questioning the benefit of him playing at that level.
“I am surprised,” said Emery. “I respect that they are not calling him for the first team, but the second team? He is not a player for the second team. Hopefully, he will come back here in good shape. Last year, (Jacob) Ramsey came back injured and barely played all season which was very painful for us and we lost a lot without him.
“What does he gain by playing in the under-21s, Morgan Rogers? He is ready in case they want to call him for the national team, I can understand. My response to it, my question is, Morgan Rogers, now he is a reality. The first six months he was here, was OK, but now he is confirming it — not to play in the under-21s. If they are calling him in the national team, the first team, OK perfect. If not, why?”
A Busy Week Ahead for Villa
Villa will be hoping to welcome back Boubacar Kamara and Tyrone Mings after the break. Emery previously stated that the pair were on track to return after the international break following their recovery from anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.
Emery's side face a busy week ahead, with a trip to Fulham on Saturday followed by a home clash against Bologna in the UEFA Champions League next Tuesday. The injury concerns add to the pressure on Emery as he looks to navigate a challenging period for the club.
A Potential Blow for Villa's Hopes
Philogene's potential absence is a blow to Villa's hopes of maintaining their strong start to the season. The 22-year-old winger has shown promise in his limited appearances this term and offers a valuable attacking option for Emery's team. His injury, combined with the other absentees, adds another layer of complexity to Villa's plans for the upcoming fixtures.
Looking Ahead
Villa will need to find solutions quickly as they prepare for the Fulham game. The club's medical team will be working hard to assess Philogene's injury and determine his availability. Emery will be hoping for some good news on the injury front, as he looks to maintain Villa's push for a top-four finish in the Premier League.
