Aston Villa’s transfer plan as Youri Tielemans makes admission ahead of Legia Warsaw
The latest Aston Villa news from BirminghamLive as Unai Emery's men take on Legia Warsaw in the Europa Conference League.
by Amie Wilson, https://www.facebook.com/amiewilsonjournalist/ · Birmingham LiveLegia Warsaw manager Kosta Runjaic has publicly revealed his anger towards his side ahead of facing Aston Villa in the Europa Conference League .
The sides will play on Thursday (8pm) and are both locked in on nine points. Unai Emery's side will be looking to extend their unbeaten home run and move top of Group E with a victory.
Villa fell to their only defeat in the competition against Legia in Warsaw back in September. While the Villans won domestically against Tottenham , Legia drew 2-2 with Warta Poznan last weekend.
Runjaic was left frustrated his players didn't take the opportunity to move within the top four. However, he is confident they will put on a good performance at Villa Park.
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Tielemans’ Villa admission
Youri Tielemans admits his goalscoring performance in the 4-1 win over AZ Alkmaar last month has helped him settle at Aston Villa after a tricky start to life at the club.
The Belgian was made to wait until earlier this month to make his first Premier League start for Villa as Emery gave him more time to understand his role on the pitch in his system. Tielemans had started Villa's first two Europa Conference League group stage matches before the trip to Alkmaar, but appeared to struggle in the defeat at Legia Warsaw and the late 1-0 win over Zrinjski Mostar.
He has since found his feet at Villa following his early move in the summer window after he left Leicester City upon the expiration of his contract there. He completed his first 90 minutes in the league against Fulham before the international break, before then assisting Villa's winning goal against Tottenham on Sunday.
Injury update
Aston Villa have no fresh injury concerns for Thursday’s Europa Conference League group stage clash with Legia Warsaw.
Unai Emery welcomed Alex Moreno back to the matchday squad earlier this month, while Jacob Ramsey has also returned after also suffering a setback in his recovery from injury. Moreno is yet to make an appearance for Villa this season despite being named in six squads, including the last three teams to face Nottingham Forest, AZ Alkmaar Fulham and Tottenham.
The left-back could feature for the first time this campaign on Thursday, while Ramsey could also feature after coming off the bench in Villa’s win over Spurs last time out. The 22-year-old returned to full training last week ahead of the Premier League clash in north London having recovered from a foot injury.
Transfer contingency plan
Aston Villa have been watching Lens midfielder Salis Abdul Samed and could make a move if they are forced to sell Douglas Luiz , according to reports.
Manchester City are the latest team to be linked with an interest in Luiz ahead of the January transfer window as his performances continue to catch the eye. Arsenal have also been long-term admirers of the Villa man, seeing three bids rebuffed last year.
Liverpool are among the ever-growing list of teams to be credited with an interest. A move away from Villa Park is unlikely, but it seems that the club could be putting plans in place just in case the unexpected happens.