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Aston Villa early team news v Leeds United: Digne and Konsa available as midfielder ruled out
Aston Villa will welcome Ezri Konsa and Lucas Digne back to their side on Thursday night when they play Leeds United at Elland Road.
Carney Chukwuemeka will also return to the matchday squad for the Villans, who’ll only have midfielder Marvelous Nakamba unavailable for their trip to West Yorkshire.
Steven Gerrard spoke to the media today [9 March] to confirm his team news.
As quoted by the Birmingham Mail, Gerrard said: “We’re in a good place. We’ve got the majority of the team fit and available,” Gerrard said.
“There’s only Marvelous Nakamba who we’re waiting for to come back into the group.
“Carney Chukwuemeka will join the group, Ezri Konsa’s back available, Lucas Digne’s back, so I’ve got some tough decisions from now until kick-off. That’s the position I like to be in.”
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Big boost for Villa
Gerrard has been without Nakamba almost throughout his entire stint at Villa Park with him missing since December, so it’s not really a massive blow for Villa to be without the Zimbabwe international on Thursday night.
He was playing regularly before his knee injury, starting seven consecutive matches.
If he was fit and ready to go, he may well have been in the starting line-up at Elland Road but even so, Villa have had some good news in the build-up to this game.
Digne and Konsa returning for them is massive.
Digne is easily one of the best left-backs in the Premier League and Konsa is arguably Aston Villa’s best centre-back.
Leeds have also had some big news this week with Patrick Bamford set to play at some point against the West Midlands club.
Kalvin Phillips is also edging closer to a return so Jesse Marsch also has some reasons to be happy right now.
In other Leeds United news, Fabrizio Romano’s detailed clauses in Raphinha’s deal at Leeds amid interest from Chelsea.