Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has confirmed that midfielder Youri Tielemans will not be available for their upcoming Premier League match against Bournemouth on Saturday.
The Belgian international, who has been a key figure in Villa’s midfield this season, is sidelined due to a muscle injury.
Emery described the injury as minor but confirmed that Tielemans would not be fit for the weekend’s fixture.
“He’s injured and he’s not available for tomorrow,” Emery said.
“We will test him again next week. It’s a small injury and we will test him again next week. He’s not available for tomorrow.”
Tielemans, of Congolese descent, has been instrumental in Villa’s midfield, contributing both defensively and offensively.
His absence is a significant blow for Villa as they aim to secure a top-five finish and a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
The team has been in strong form, winning seven of their last nine league matches, and will look to continue that momentum against Bournemouth.
Emery also provided an update on winger Marcus Rashford, who has been recovering from a hamstring injury sustained during a training camp in Dubai.
The manager confirmed that Rashford will also miss the Bournemouth game, and his availability for the remainder of the season remains uncertain.
With both Tielemans and Rashford unavailable, Emery may need to adjust his lineup for the crucial match against Bournemouth.
The team is currently three points behind fifth-placed Chelsea, making each remaining fixture vital for their European aspirations.
