Aston Villa suffer Leon Goretzka injury setback | OneFootball

Unai Emery’s rebuild has hit a setback, with new signing Leon Goretzka ruled out until after the international break because of a knee injury that delays his debut.

The 31-year-old said in a social media post that, after time away from the pitch, his body had reacted to the increased workload and he needs a short break to return at full strength. He added he will use the coming days, including the break, to recover and come back ready to fight for Villa.

Goretzka joined on a free transfer last month after leaving Bayern Munich, where he spent seven years. He was among 10 recruits in the window and is one of four yet to make his debut.

Midfielder Johan Manzambi has returned to training following a knee injury at the World Cup, before completing a £51 million move from Freiburg. The Switzerland international is not ready to feature in Tuesday’s Champions League match at Club Brugge, though Ibrahim Mbaye could debut.

Former Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes is available for the first time since being sent off on his debut, a 4-0 defeat at Brighton. Defensive signing Taylor Harwood-Bellis was left out of Villa’s squad for the group stage.

After Brugge, Villa face Nottingham Forest and Tottenham in the Premier League, either side of a Carabao Cup tie at Coventry, before a three-week international break.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com

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