Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is set to select midfielder João Gomes for their upcoming Champions League tie against Club Brugge, with the summer signing eligible for European selection despite currently serving a domestic suspension. The midfielder, who completed his transfer from Wolves in July, is expected to feature alongside fellow newcomer Ibrahim Mbaye, the 18-year-old winger signed from Paris Saint-Germain for an initial £47m fee, as Emery navigates a heavily reshaped squad.
Midfield restructuring and squad selection
The arrivals of Gomes and club-record signing Johan Manzambi were necessitated by a summer of upheaval in the Villa midfield. The club had to react to the departure of Youri Tielemans to Manchester United and a serious ACL injury sustained by Amadou Onana during the World Cup. Manzambi joined from Freiburg for a package worth up to £59.5m, though the BBC reported the fee at just over £50m. While Gomes' domestic ban restricts his Premier League availability, his registration on UEFA's squad list provides immediate tactical relief. In contrast, £30m summer signing Taylor Harwood-Bellis has been left out of the 23-man European squad entirely, highlighting the intense competition for defensive places under Emery.
Delays for Goretzka and Manzambi
While Mbaye is in contention to make his mark in Belgium, other high-profile additions face a slower integration. Midfielder Leon Goretzka did not make the matchday squad for Villa's recent domestic fixture against Hull City, leaving his immediate role in the side uncertain. Manzambi is also awaiting his competitive bow after finalizing his move in July. Speaking to The Athletic upon signing, the forward stated: "I’m very excited to be here and to be training with Unai Emery and the team." With a demanding schedule ahead, Emery must manage his squad's fitness carefully to secure Villa's early Champions League objectives.
