After a seemingly endless run of injuries this season, including year-long absences for both Emiliano Buendia and Tyrone Mings, you have to begin to wonder who broke the mirror.
The latest concern is that of Ezri Konsa. The defender, who has been in quite exceptional form resulting in a long overdue England call-up, is the latest to end up in the physio room, possibly for the long-term.
Emerging reports this evening are beginning to bring some foundation to rumours that Konsa may be the latest unfortunate Villa player to succumb to a bad knee injury. At this point, we know that the 26-year-old will certainly be ruled out for at least the next two fixtures. That puts him out of the FA Cup replay against Chelsea on Wednesday evening and the visit of Manchester United to Villa Park this coming weekend. Optimistic estimates are that Villa will be without his services for at least a month.
Embed from Getty ImagesKonsa appeared to sustain the injury after a collision with the goal-post during the drubbing of Sheffield United midweek. Konsa had been deputising well at right back, despite having received his international nod after a string of head-turning displays at centre half. For now we will need to watch and wait for confirmation as Konsa undergoes further examination in the coming days.
For Emery, this is a real headache with the squad thin on the ground and fighting on three fronts. Matty Cash, a more recognised right-back appears increasingly less favoured owing to inconsistency. Diego Carlos, an expensive acquisition who himself suffered a serious knee injury has yet to command a first-team place. Alternatively, Emery might make use of promising academy product Kaine Kesler-Hayden who was a surprise recall from a loan spell at Plymouth last month.