New injury blow confirmed by Emery
Just 48 hours before Villa travel to Craven Cottage, Unai Emery revealed that centre‑back Aston Villa injury striker Matt Targett has suffered a grade‑two hamstring strain during Tuesday’s training session. Targett, who has been a regular starter this season, was expected to line up against Fulham after returning from a month‑long sidelining due to a minor ankle tweak.
Emery, speaking to the club’s media team at the training ground, said, “It’s a disappointment, absolutely. Matt worked hard to be ready for this game, and the injury is a setback for us. We’ll assess the situation and make the best decision for the squad.” The manager’s tone was pragmatic, noting that the club’s medical staff will keep a close eye on the player’s recovery timeline.
Targett’s injury adds to a growing list of fitness concerns at Villa Park. In the past two weeks, the likes of centre‑midfielder John McGinn and forward Ollie Watkins have missed training due to minor knocks, though both are expected to be fit for the Fulham match. With Targett now unavailable, the defensive options become a topic of intense speculation among fans and pundits.
Implications for the Fulham match
Emery’s usual back‑four – Tyrone Mings, Wesley Morris, and former club captain Harry Riley – will now have to accommodate a replacement for Targett. The most likely candidates are either the experienced loan signing Alex Morrison from Liverpool, who has featured sporadically this season, or promising academy graduate Ethan Wright, who made his senior debut last month.
Both options bring different qualities. Morrison offers aerial dominance and a seasoned understanding of Premier League intensity, while Wright provides pace and the ability to play a high‑line – a tactic Emery has favoured in recent games. The tactical shift could be significant, as Villa have struggled defensively against quick, wide‑play teams, a weakness Fulham will try to exploit.
Beyond the defensive reshuffle, Emery hinted at tweaking the midfield shape to provide more cover for the back line. He may deploy a double‑pivot with McGinn and Jacob Bower, allowing the full‑backs to push forward without leaving gaps. This adjustment could also give striker Ollie Watkins more freedom to drift wide and create space for midfielders arriving late into the box.
Fulham’s manager, Marco Silva, is reportedly aware of Villa’s injury woes and plans to press early, testing the newly drafted defender’s composure. Silva’s side have only lost two of their last six games, and a win at Villa Park would lift them out of the relegation zone.
Fans can expect a high‑energy encounter, with both managers likely to make early substitutions if the opening phases are uneven. With the season entering its crucial final third, every point matters, and an unexpected loss could tighten Villa’s grip on a European‑qualification spot.
While the full impact of Targett’s absence will only become clear on match day, Emery’s candid admission underscores the challenges Premier League clubs face in maintaining squad depth over a grueling 38‑game schedule. The upcoming Fulham clash will serve as a litmus test for Villa’s resilience and the effectiveness of their backup options.
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