Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard has confirmed that Matty Cash could feature against former club Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Monday but Ludwig Augustinsson is unavailable, speaking via the club’s official website.
Lady luck giveth, lady luck taketh away.
On the upside, Gerrard has one of his most reliable performers back in contention for Aston Villa’s Monday night trip to the City Ground. On the other, Augustinsson could be out of action until November; the Swede lasting just 45 minutes on debut against Leeds United before suffering a hamstring injury.
Lucas Digne is also unavailable, while Leon Bailey could be absent too.
Mixed injury news for Aston Villa before Forest clash
“Matty Cash is back in full training and he’s available for Nottingham Forest,” Gerrard explains, while suggesting that fellow defender Calum Chambers could also return.
“Calum Chambers has done half of the session today. He’ll continue to pick training up from now until Monday. He’s got a decent chance to be involved (against Forest).
“Ludwig Augustinsson will be out for around three weeks. He’s got a hamstring injury on the back of the Leeds game. We’ve also got Leon Bailey, who’s got a small muscle issue. He’s a doubt for the weekend but he’s not totally ruled out.”
Augustinsson’s absence leaves Aston Villa without both of their most natural left-back options. Ashley Young, the 37-year-old who continues to roll back the years in claret-and-blue, is perhaps the most likely candidate to step into the starting XI in the absence of Augustinsson and Digne.
“In terms of Lucas Digne, it’s a complicated one that’s going to rumble on for a few more weeks before we can assess it,” Gerrard adds. “I’ll have some news on Digne in a couple of weeks, but he won’t be available for Forest.”
Aston Villa are currently in 14th place and unbeaten in their last three. Nottingham Forest could only dream of such a run of form. Steve Cooper’s job has come under scrutiny this week after a 4-0 thumping at Midland rivals Leicester City extended their losing run to five.
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