Villa defender Luke Young has emerged as a major doubt for the Peace Cup opener against Malaga on Saturday.

A thigh injury has prevented right-back Young from featuring in either of the pre-season games to date – Saturday’s 3-0 win at Peterborough and last night’s 2-2 draw with Colchester.

Villa boss Martin O’Neill confirmed the injury is not serious and the England international will be part of his squad who travel out to Spain tomorrow.

But he admitted the former Middlesbrough man may have to wait until the meeting with Mexican side Atlante a week today, before he makes his first pre-season outing.

The manager said: “He has a problem with the top of his thigh. I thought he would be fit for last night, but he did a wee bit of training on Monday morning and felt it again.

“I don’t think it is anything to be too concerned about. Certainly the medical staff are not overly worried.

“He may not be fit for Saturday evening but he will have every possibility for the second game. He will definitely be coming with us.”

Nathan Delfouneso, who is currently on England duty at the European Under-19 Championship in Ukraine, misses the trip along with James Milner, Gabby Agbonlahor and Craig Gardner.

They return to training on August 3.