Aston Villa’s Growing Injury Crisis Deepens: Ruggeri Doubt and Hemmings Knock Add to Emery’s Headache Ahead of Fenerbahçe Clash
Aston Villa picked up two more unwanted injury concerns in the last couple of days, one extremely unwelcome, the other rather unhelpful. The timing could hardly be worse. With a crucial Champions League fixture against Fenerbahçe looming on Wednesday night at Villa Park, Unai Emery finds himself navigating another wave of fitness problems that are stretching his already depleted squad to its limits.
Villa lost Matteo Ruggeri midway through Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Brentford, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka filling in on the ‘wrong side’. The Italian left-back had been pressed into regular service in the absence of Ian Maatsen and was having a solid afternoon until he pulled up after a surging run down the flank. He was replaced at half-time, emerging from the tunnel with heavy strapping high on his left leg. Post-match, Emery confirmed the nature of the problem with characteristic brevity: “It’s his hamstring. We will check tomorrow.”
That check has now taken place, and Ruggeri remains a major doubt for the visit of the Turkish side. A hamstring issue of any severity is never ideal, particularly for a full-back whose game relies on overlapping runs, recovery pace, and constant high-intensity efforts. For a player who only arrived at Villa Park in the summer from Atlético Madrid, this is a significant setback. Ruggeri had shown encouraging signs in his early appearances, bringing a more progressive, attacking profile to the left side of defence. His potential absence leaves Emery without a single natural left-footed full-back available.
George Hemmings also missed the game with a minor knee injury, meaning both players will need to be checked on ahead of the Champions League clash with Fenerbahçe. The situation surrounding the 19-year-old is far more encouraging. The academy graduate, who has forced his way into Emery’s thinking this season with a series of composed performances, suffered a small knee problem while away on international duty with England’s youth teams. Emery has indicated that the issue should not keep him out for long. “Hemmings has a small knee injury. [It] should keep him out for a few days,” the Spaniard explained.
While the young midfielder or wide attacker could well be involved on Wednesday night – and played the full 90 minutes against Club Brugge in Villa’s impressive 3-2 Champions League victory – Ruggeri’s hamstring problem is the more serious concern. Hemmings’ ability to play through minor knocks has already been demonstrated this campaign. He has featured regularly, including a full debut in Europe against Club Brugge, becoming the first teenager to start a Champions League match for Villa in more than four decades. His technical quality, press resistance, and growing confidence have made him a genuine option in the advanced midfield roles, particularly after the departures of key creative players in recent windows.
The cumulative effect of these fresh issues is stark. Villa are now looking at one doubt and potentially seven players unavailable for the Fenerbahçe match. Ian Maatsen remains sidelined with an ankle injury sustained against Nottingham Forest and is not expected back until late November. Amadou Onana is a long-term absentee after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament during international duty in the summer, effectively ruling him out for the bulk of the season. Modou Keba Cisse continues to recover from a groin problem and is targeting a return later this month. Leon Goretzka and Brian Madjo have returned to group training but are not expected to be risked midweek, with Emery noting last week that they are “progressively recovering” after joining sessions. Taylor Harwood-Bellis, meanwhile, is ineligible having not been named in the Champions League squad.
This leaves the left-back position in particular crisis. With both Maatsen and Ruggeri unavailable, Aaron Wan-Bissaka is almost certain to continue on the left side. The former Manchester United right-back performed admirably after coming on against Brentford, but it is far from his natural role. Emery has already spoken about the need to adapt the structure without his two preferred left-footed options. “Aaron has played sometimes in that position before,” he said. “I will try to keep our structure without our two left-footed full-backs in Maatsen and Ruggeri, using other options to practice and play without changing anything.” Lamare Bogarde offers cover on the right, but the lack of balance on the left flank will force tactical adjustments.
Saturday’s draw with Brentford itself highlighted both the progress and the remaining fragility in Villa’s performances. After falling behind early to Yegor Yarmolyuk, Nicolas Jackson equalised quickly. John McGinn then put the hosts ahead in the 77th minute, only for Kristoffer Ajer to level two minutes later. Emery was frustrated not to claim all three points at home but took encouragement from the overall display. “To draw at home is not a good result,” he admitted. “I think we played a match with a lot of things improved from our last home match against Forest. We created chances but conceded more chances than I expected. Maybe the result is fair but analysing how we are improving things, competing better I can’t tell nothing to the players about the match.”
That home form remains a concern. Villa are still searching for their first Premier League victory at Villa Park this season after defeats to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest. The Champions League has offered a welcome distraction and a platform for better results. The 3-2 win in Bruges was a statement performance, full of attacking intent and character. Securing another positive result against Fenerbahçe would represent a significant step in the league phase and build valuable momentum.
Fenerbahçe themselves arrive with their own ambitions and a squad stacked with experience. Mason Greenwood and Vedat Muriqi provide a potent threat in attack, while N’Golo Kanté offers midfield steel. The Turkish side drew 1-1 with Roma in their opening Champions League fixture and will be motivated to take points from Villa Park. Historical meetings favour Villa – they have won all previous competitive encounters, including a 1-0 victory in Istanbul during last season’s Europa League campaign courtesy of a Jadon Sancho goal.
For Emery, the challenge is familiar. Managing a congested fixture list while dealing with an expanding injury list has become a recurring theme. The Spaniard has repeatedly spoken about the need for the squad to adapt and for younger players to step up. Hemmings is the clearest example of that process working. His rapid rise from academy prospect to first-team regular has been one of the brighter notes of a difficult start to the campaign. Keeping him available, even if only as an impact substitute, would give Emery important flexibility in the final third.
The left-back situation, however, is more structural. Relying on Wan-Bissaka out of position for an extended period risks imbalance, particularly against a side like Fenerbahçe that can stretch play wide and transition quickly. Villa may also look at other temporary solutions, including shifting a centre-back wider or adjusting the midfield shape to provide extra cover. Whatever the solution, it will require careful preparation in the limited time available before Wednesday’s 8pm kick-off.
Beyond the immediate fixture, these injuries raise longer-term questions about squad depth. The summer window brought significant change, and the early-season injury list has exposed areas where options remain limited. Onana’s long-term absence in particular has been felt in midfield, where Boubacar Kamara and others have had to shoulder greater responsibility. The return of Goretzka and Madjo to training is positive, but neither appears ready for the intensity of a Champions League night just yet.
As Villa prepare for Fenerbahçe, the focus will remain on maximising the available resources. Emery’s ability to organise and motivate sides through adversity has been a hallmark of his career. The players still available – including the likes of Pau Torres, Victor Lindelöf, John McGinn, Emiliano Buendía, and Nicolas Jackson – give him a competitive core. Adding Hemmings back into the mix would provide further creative spark. Whether Ruggeri can recover in time remains the biggest uncertainty.
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One thing is clear: Aston Villa’s injury problems are not going away. The addition of Ruggeri’s hamstring issue and Hemmings’ minor knee concern has turned a difficult situation into a genuine test of depth and adaptability. Wednesday night against Fenerbahçe will offer the latest examination of how well Emery and his staff can navigate it. For the supporters packing Villa Park, the hope will be that the team can overcome the absences and continue their positive European start, even as the casualty list continues to grow.