Unai Emery reveals two Aston Villa players are doubts for Man Utd Boxing Day clash

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has revealed Pau Torres and Youri Tielemans are set to miss the Villans’ Premier League clash against Sheffield United on Friday, putting their participation in the Boxing Day fixture against Manchester United into doubt.

The in-form West Midlands side have won four of their last five in the league and their post-Christmas trip to Old Trafford could prove one of United's toughest games of the season so far. Villa will move top of the table on Friday should they beat Sheffield United, and would even occupy that position on Christmas Day if Liverpool and Arsenal draw at Anfield on Saturday.

But Emery’s side are set to have depleted numbers on Friday and could be without two key players when they take on United, in addition to Boubacar Kamara, who will miss the next three matches through suspension.

“Youri Tielemans is out. Pau Torres is out as well for tomorrow. The other players are ready. Kamara is suspended,” Emery said on Thursday.

Asked about the severity of the injuries, the ex-Arsenal boss implied Tielemans won't be available to face United. "Youri, we are thinking maybe not more than two weeks, but he is now working alone and recovering his injury in his calf," Emery said.

“Pau Torres, it is his ankle. It's a small injury. Every day coming is important to how he is improving. I don't know if he will be available for Manchester United, but he could be.”

The Spanish defender has played every single league game for Villa this season, while Kamara and Tielemans have missed one game apiece, meaning the absence of all three would prove hugely significant.

Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag’s side travel to West Ham United before that and a win at the London Stadium on Saturday could see them move up to sixth in the table.