Digne, Tielemans, Torres: Aston Villa injury list and return dates ahead of Everton clash

Aston Villa will be looking to build on their narrow FA Cup win over Middlesbrough last weekend and continue their fine run of form in the Premier League with a victory over Everton.

Unai Emery's side entered the 2023/24 season with many expecting them to challenge for top four, but they've surpassed all expectations with their 42-point tally so far. The Villans are just two behind league leaders Liverpool and they have elbowed their way ahead of Arsenal and reigning champions Manchester City.

Before Villa lock horns with Everton, let's take a look at their latest injury updates and when the short-term sidelined players are potentially due to return.

Emi Buendía (knee)

Just before the 2023/24 Premier League season kicked off, Villa were dealt a huge blow when Emi Buendía picked up a problem during training. The club confirmed the versatile attacker had suffered a 'significant knee ligament injury' and he has not played a single minute of football this season.

While he is making progress towards full recovery following his surgery, there is no expectation for Buendía to return to action before the season ends.

Tyrone Mings (knee)

Similar to Buendía, Tyrone Mings' season was cut short after he was stretchered off during his first game of the new term against Newcastle United. As a result of another 'significant knee injury', the defender has also been ruled out for what could be the whole season.

Villa fans feared this news would result in a retirement announcement from Mings, but the 30-year-old relived the concerns with a lighthearted social media post back in November. "Can’t get rid of me that easy! You’re all helping me way more than you realise," he wrote to the supporters.

Lucas Digne (hamstring)

Last month, Lucas Digne picked up a hamstring injury during Villa's clash with Manchester United and Emery confirmed the full-back will be on the sidelines for 'some weeks'. A rough estimate of '22-25 days' was given for Digne's return but the Frenchman has uploaded a series of promising Instagram photos recently.

Since the new year has rolled in, Digne has posted images of him in the gym and just this week, he gave fans a potential fitness hint with a photo of him back in training.

Youri Tielemans (calf)

Youri Tielemans could be approaching his return after suffering a calf injury last month during Villa's win against Arsenal. Ahead of their Boxing Day clash with United, Emery said the club weren't expecting Tielemans to be absent for 'more than two weeks' from that date, but he is still yet to make his comeback to the team.

Pau Torres (ankle)

Pau Torres was initially ruled out with an ankle injury sustained against Brentford last month and while he did come off the bench against Burnley, the centre-back is not 100 percent ready for full integration and as a result, missed the FA Cup clash against Middlesbrough.

Emery has shed some light on the latest on Torres, explaining that he played against Burnley because Clément Lenglet was 'asking us to change because he was not feeling very good in the last 30 minutes'.

Emery continued: "He was sick during the seven days before and we anticipated Pau coming back, but was not feeling 100 per cent. At the end of the match he was feeling worse than before and we decided to stop again and try to recover him."

Robin Olsen (knock)

At the start of the new year, Emery said goalkeeper Robin Olsen was 'still injured' but the club were hoping to see him return 'in a few days or a week'. There isn't much information out there on the 34-year-old's problem but he has not featured in Villa's Premier League squad since December 3rd.

Premier Injuries has ruled that Olsen has sustained a knock and other than Emery's recent comments, there isn't much else to go off.

Bertrand Traoré (international duty)

Like many others in the Premier League, Bertrand Traoré will represent his country at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), which gets underway this weekend. The winger has been called up by Burkina Faso, who will open their tournament run against Mauritania.

How far the Stallions go in the tournament depends on how many games Traoré will miss for Villa. If they exit in the group stages, he will be absent for two club matches and obviously, more if his country go further.