Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa has been ruled out for up to four weeks ahead of his side’s FA Cup tie with Chelsea.
Unai Emery has selected the 26-year-old in all-but one of Villa’s games this season before he was forced off with a knee problem in the recent 5-0 win at Sheffield United.
There were reports Konsa would be out for a significant period of time but Emery stated before the fourth-round replay against Chelsea that he should return towards the end of this month.
“He is injured,” confirmed Emery on Tuesday.
“He has a knee sprain and he is going to be not available for three or four weeks, more or less.”
Chelsea will be without a substantial number of players themselves with defenders Reece James, Marc Cucurella, Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill all unavailable for selection. Romeo Lavia, Lesley Ugochukwu and Robert Sanchez are also injured.
Tyrone Mings and Lucas Digne will miss out for Villa while Nicolo Zaniolo is a doubt. Pau Torres will return from injury to make the squad but Emery has ruled him out of starting Wednesday’s match at Villa Park.
“The other players are out for tomorrow,” he continued.
“Lucas Digne is progressing well but is out. Pau Torres has trained with the group and he will be on the bench.”
