Aston Villa: everything we know so far

Roberto De Zerbi has confirmed that Dominic Solanke suffered a hamstring injury in last weekend’s win at Wolves – but has only ruled him out of Sunday’s clash at Villa (7pm UK) for the time being. Aston Villa has emerged this Friday as one of the stories drawing attention in Tanzania.

Key facts

• Roberto De Zerbi has confirmed that Dominic Solanke suffered a hamstring injury in last weekend’s win at Wolves – but has only ruled him out of Sunday’s clash at Villa (7pm UK) for the time being.
• Roberto was asked in his pre-Villa press conference on Friday afternoon if Dominic was going to be available again this season. “I don't know yet,” he said. “Villa, no, for sure.
• Team news | Roberto De Zerbi’s latest on Solanke, Udogie and Vicario.
• The striker was forced off towards the end of the first half at Molineux, replaced by Richarlison, who later had a hand in Joao Palhinha’s crucial winning goal.
• Roberto reported that Guglielmo Vicario was ‘not available yet’ as the goalkeeper works his way back to fitness following surgery on a hernia.

What we know

Going deeper, Roberto was asked in his pre-Villa press conference on Friday afternoon if Dominic was going to be available again this season. “I don't know yet,” he said. “Villa, no, for sure.

On the substance, Team news | Roberto De Zerbi’s latest on Solanke, Udogie and Vicario.

Beyond the headlines, the striker was forced off towards the end of the first half at Molineux, replaced by Richarlison, who later had a hand in Joao Palhinha’s crucial winning goal.

More precisely, Roberto reported that Guglielmo Vicario was ‘not available yet’ as the goalkeeper works his way back to fitness following surgery on a hernia.

It is worth noting that there was better news on Destiny Udogie, who was sidelined for last week’s win at Molineux. “Udogie can be available, yes,” reported Roberto. “I don't know if that’s the beginning of the game or the second half, but he's available, yes.”

The wider context

On a related note, Xavi Simons, who suffered an ACL injury at Wolves, joins Solanke, Vicario, Cuti Romero, Mo Kudus, Deki Kulusevski, Wilson Odobert and Ben Davies on the sidelines.

The bottom line

• The striker was forced off towards the end of the first half at Molineux, replaced by Richarlison, who later had a hand in Joao Palhinha’s crucial winning goal.
• There was better news on Destiny Udogie, who was sidelined for last week’s win at Molineux. “Udogie can be available, yes,” reported Roberto. “I don't know if that’s the beginning of the game or the second half, but he's available, yes.”
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