Aston Villa hoping for double fitness boost ahead of Crystal Palace clash
Villa are poised to give late fitness checks to Pau Torres and Tyrone Mings ahead of Wednesday’s match at Crystal Palace.
Boss Unai Emery is refusing to rule either defender out of the clash at Selhurst Park as both near a return from injury.
Torres has been out for a month with a calf problem, while Mings has been out since the start of November with a hamstring strain.
But they are both set to give Emery’s squad a boost amid a hectic January schedule.
The boss said: We are training now, after the press conference. We will see how the players are after the match we played on Saturday.
“Pau and Tyrone are close. We are going to train now, and I don't know if they will be available or not.
“After the training we will decide if someone is close, like Pau and Tyrone."
Villa, who have won 13 of their last 15 Premier League matches, will definitely be without Amadou Onana for the second straight game.
Ross Barkley also remains sidelined, while Evann Guessand is on international duty with Ivory Coast at the African Cup of Nations.
Palace have proven tough opponents for Emery’s team, winning five of the last six meetings including a 3-0 win at Villa Park earlier this season.
He said: “Against us, they have performed fantastic, and they beat us. It’s a challenge. We are in good form but we know the difficulties.
“Tomorrow, we will face them getting a challenge for ourselves, respecting them, respecting the coach, respecting the players, how we are, and trying to get our best.”
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