Unai Emery Reflects on Leon Goretzka's Injury and Looks Ahead to Champions League Clash with Club Brugge
Unai Emery Faces Midfield Challenge Ahead of Champions League Match
Unai Emery, manager of Aston Villa, is grappling with a tough selection dilemma as the team prepares for a crucial Champions League match against Club Brugge. The Premier League club will have to compete without Leon Goretzka, who continues to battle injury setbacks that have sidelined him since joining Villa from Bayern Munich.
Goretzka’s Absence Weighs Heavily on Villa
Emery admits losing Goretzka so early is a real blow. The midfielder, who arrived on a free transfer bringing a wealth of experience from his trophy-filled years in Germany, was meant to anchor a midfield reshaped over the summer. Unfortunately, a reaction to the increased training demands has delayed his debut, leaving Villa searching for alternatives amid poor domestic results.
"Goretzka’s issue is a bit frustrating, but we have players who can replace him. When he’s back, hopefully he can get consistency in training and playing and we can add his experience. He will help us in different competitions with the level he has," Emery told reporters ahead of their European trip.
Goretzka Updates Fans on Recovery
The midfielder shared his own update on social media, explaining how his body struggled to adjust to the intensified training after a period of reduced match activity at Bayern. He expects to be out for about a month, missing matches until after the mid-September international break.
"Unfortunately, my body has reacted to the increased workload after my time away from the pitch. It’s frustrating, but I need this short break now to come back at full strength. I’ll use the coming days, including the international break, to recover fully," Goretzka said.
Champions League Offers a Chance to Reset
Aston Villa started the 2026-27 season poorly, with just one draw and two losses in their first three Premier League games. This marks a sharp contrast to last season’s highs. Emery pointed to signs of improvement despite the results and stressed the importance of the upcoming European fixture.
"In the last match, we showed some collective progress. Our goal at the end of the season is clear, and we are moving forward. It’s still not enough because we haven’t gotten good results yet, but tomorrow is a new test – a new challenge in Europe," Emery said.
He also expressed pride in the club’s recent achievements, noting that qualifying for the Champions League four years running, including twice in the top European competition, was beyond initial expectations.
Tough Trip to Bruges Awaits
Villa’s journey to Belgium brings back memories of a 1-0 defeat against Club Brugge in 2024, adding pressure to the encounter. Aside from Goretzka, the squad will miss injured Johan Manzambi but welcomes back Joao Gomes after suspension.
Meanwhile, Club Brugge arrives in strong form, having won four of their first five league games this season, making them a formidable opponent.
- Competition: Champions League
- Opponent: Club Brugge (CLB)
- Date: 8 September 2026
- Kickoff: 18:45
- Venue: Away (Belgium)
