ASTON VILLA NEWS

Morgan Sanson - Back in squad Sanson (knee) is on the bench for Saturday's match against Chelsea.

Impact Sanson is back in the squad after recovering and playing with the U23s over the break. It's unknown what kind of role he'll have for Villa, as it appears he'll be more of a bench option this season, even without Jack Grealish in the squad.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Ezri Konsa - Starting against Chelsea Konsa (knee) is in the starting XI for Saturday's match against Chelsea.

Impact As expected, Konsa is fine and in the starting XI Saturday after training over the break. More interesting for Villa is that they turned to more of a 3-5-2 formation against Chelsea, meaning Konsa could be headed for less defensive work, even against Chelsea.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Chelsea vs. Aston Villa: Live stream, start time, TV channel, how to watch Premier League 2021 How to watch Saturday's match.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 • MASSLIVE.COM

MATCHDAY: Ronaldo back for Man United; PSG rests Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo will make the first appearance in his second spell for Manchester United in the home match against Newcastle

SEPTEMBER 10, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Chelsea vs Aston Villa Prediction, Odds, Lines, Spread, Date, Stream & How to Watch Premier League on FanDuel Chelsea vs Aston Villa prediction, odds, lines, spread, date, stream & how to watch Premier League match.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2021 • FANDUEL.COM

Chelsea wing Pulisic to be out 10 days with ankle injury

Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic is set to be out for 10 days because of a left ankle injury

SEPTEMBER 10, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Carney Chukwuemeka - Out with undisclosed injury Chukwuemeka picked up an injury over the break with the England U19 squad, according to manager Dean Smith.

Impact Chukwuemeka got a surprise start before the break and went 63 minutes in the draw against Brentford, but that will likely be a rarity on the season. When everyone is healthy, he may not even see a spot on the bench and for now, he'll likely be more of a U23 player for Villa.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Bertrand Traore - Training ahead of Chelsea trip Traore (hamstring) has trained the last couple of days ahead of Saturday's trip to Chelsea, according to manager Dean Smith.

Impact Traore has been out since the opener because of a hamstring injury and while he's training, it doesn't seem like he's ready to start Saturday. He played 18 minutes in the opener and will likely need a game or two to get back his fitness.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Jacob Ramsey - Available Saturday Ramsey has recovered from COVID-19 and is available for Saturday's trip to Chelsea, according to manager Dean Smith.

Impact Ramsey will again be an option to start, as it seems like he's been training for a few days. He started in the win against Newcastle and there's a slight chance he gets the call again Saturday, depending on the health of everyone else in the squad.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Leon Bailey - Training in full Bailey (undisclosed) is training in full and will be an option Saturday against Chelsea, according to manager Dean Smith.

Impact It's a positive update for Bailey, who missed the two matches prior to the international break. There's a chance he moves into the starting XI given other issues in the side, but he's played just 30 minutes for Villa so that may not be the case.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Leon Bailey - Back in training Bailey (undisclosed) was pictured in training ahead of Saturday's trip to Chelsea.

Impact Bailey is back in training and there should be an update on his status prior to Saturday's match. He played 30 minutes in the opener and hasn't appeared since, but it looks like he should be an option against Chelsea.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Ezri Konsa - Pictured on pitch Konsa (knee) was pictured with tape on his knee in training Thursday ahead of Saturday's trip to Chelsea.

Impact There's a decent chance Konsa will be ready Saturday after leaving the match two weeks ago with a knee issue. More information will be made known following the press conference, but all signs point to a spot in the XI alongside Tyrone Mings.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Christian Pulisic hurts ankle in US qualifier at Honduras

Christian Pulisic injured his left ankle in the United States’ 4-1 World Cup qualifier win over Honduras, yet another setback for the 22-year-old Chelsea attacker

SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Douglas Luiz - Back in starting role Luiz started both matches before the international break, totaling one shot, one chance created and six fouls committed.

Impact Luiz was back in his usual role following his involvement in the Olympics and he took the spot of Marvelous Nakamba in the midfield. Similar to last season when he had no goals and two assists in 32 starts, he'll have limited fantasy value in this team.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Brazil seeks FIFA punishment for players who skipped matches

Brazil has triggered a FIFA regulation in a bid to prevent eight players from competing for their respective clubs in the English Premier League this weekend

SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tyrone Mings - Plays full 90 for England Mings (ribs) went the full 90 in England's World Cup qualifier against Andorra.

Impact Mings made a quick recovery from his cracked rib and should be ready to feature for Villa after the break. It's expected he'll be back in the starting XI Saturday at Chelsea, taking the spot of Axel Tuanzebe if Ezri Konsa is deemed fit enough to also start.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Emilano Martinez - Will miss one match Martinez will miss Saturday's trip to Chelsea because he's training in Croatia to avoid quarantine, reports Sky Sports.

Impact Martinez knew he'd have to miss at least one match after joining Argentina over the break and unfortunately it's the trip to Chelsea. His absence is a fairly large blow to the Villa defense, as Jed Steer is expected to start in a huge spot Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Emiliano Buendia - Training in Croatia Buendia is training in Croatia and will miss Aston Villa's next match, reports Sky Sports.

Impact This was known to be the case for Buendia when he joined Argentina over the international break. It leaves Villa hurting for their trip to Chelsea, though the return of Ollie Watkins to squad is a definite boost and he could take the spot of Buendia in the starting XI.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

FIFA eyes disciplinary action against Argentina, Brazil

Disciplinary proceedings have been opened by FIFA against Argentina and Brazil over the chaos that led to their World Cup qualifier being suspended after Brazilian health officials...

SEPTEMBER 7, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

FIFA World Cup qualifiers: Inside the wild world of international soccer

The World Cup is the greatest show in soccer, but the preamble is a show all its own, Martin Rogers writes.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2021

EXPLAINER: Argentina soccer chaos over Brazil quarantine row

The pitch intruders claimed to have very good reason to be confronting players only seven minutes into Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Argentina

SEPTEMBER 6, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Police investigating 4 Argentines over WCup qualifier chaos

Brazil’s federal police is investigating four Argentina footballers for allegedly providing false travel information upon arrival for a World Cup qualifying match

SEPTEMBER 6, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

'I never wanted to join Arsenal' - Aston Villa keeper Martinez says he moved to England for his family's sake ' Goal.com Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has reflected on his switch to Emirates Stadium back in 2010, admitting he never wanted to join Arsenal

SEPTEMBER 6, 2021 • GOAL.COM

Brazil vs Argentina halted as health chiefs take to pitch amid quarantine issue The World Cup qualifier between Argentina and Brazil has been stopped mid-game after health authorities entered onto the pitch. Aston Villa’...

SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Brazil-Argentina qualifier suspended in coronavirus dispute

Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Argentina has been suspended amid chaotic scenes after local health officials walked onto the pitch in a bid to remove three players who didn’t...

SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS