Manzambi, Wan-Bissaka and Ruggeri: Aston Villa injury list and return dates as full-back crisis looms large
The latest Aston Villa injury news and potential return dates ahead of their Champions League clash with Viking
Aston Villa continued their fine run of form last weekend, winning a hard-fought Premier League clash against Newcastle United by a narrow 1-0 scoreline. A solitary goal from summer signing Johan Manzambi proved decisive at St. James’ Park, and rubbed salt in the Magpies’ wounds after the Switzerland international picked Villa over Newcastle in the last transfer window.
Next up, Unai Emery’s side host Norwegian champions Viking FK at Villa Park in their third match of the 2026/27 Champions League season, in what should be an ideal opportunity for the Villans to continue their push up the league phase table. In their last Champions League outing, Viking impressively held Bayern Munich to a 3-3 draw in Stavanger.
Heading into the match, Emery has a number of injury concerns to deal with, particularly in the full-back department. Here is the latest Aston Villa injury news and potential return date for their stricken stars as the West Midlands side look to continue their impressive renaissance after another initially slow start to the season.
How long will Wan-Bissaka be out for?
Villa’s improved run of form is even more impressive when you consider the difficulties they’ve had in the left-back position. Aaron Wan-Bissaka is the latest full-back to succumb to injury, after he limped off the field with what Emery confirmed to be a hamstring injury against Newcastle. The extent of the knock has not yet been confirmed, but he could well be out until his side play Sunderland on November 21st.
There’s good news when it comes to Ian Maatsen, however. Villa’s first choice full-back didn’t make the matchday squad to play Newcastle, but his manager has since confirmed that the Netherlands international will be back in training this week. However, his understudy Matteo Ruggeri could be out until early December with a thigh injury.
Meanwhile, rising star George Hemmings looks set to return to the side for their clash against Viking. The England U19 star has been out with a knee injury since the international break, but looks to have recovered from the relatively minor knock and could be involved from the bench at some point on Wednesday evening.
Johan Manzambi injury update
There was concern for star man Manzambi against Newcastle, after he came off in the 72nd minute with an injury. The player revealed that it was not cramp, but instead a knock. Emery suggested the injury is most likely muscular fatigue and, crucially, “not something big”. Manzambi may well be rested against Viking to avoid aggravating the problem further.
Meanwhile, new signing Modou Keba Cisse is yet to make his debut for the Villans, having picked up a knock around a month ago. He’s now back in training, and could get his first minutes in a Villa shirt before the end of October. He can’t feature against Viking regardless of his fitness, as he’s not part of their Champions League squad for the league phase.
Key midfielder Amadou Onana has been sorely missed by Villa so far this season, and he could potentially be out for the whole of the 2026/27 campaign. The Belgium international had successful surgery on a ruptured ACL over the summer, and faces a notoriously long road to recovery over the course of the next few months.