Aston Villa injury update ahead of Brentford clash; Leon Bailey faces late fitness test

Aston Villa are unbeaten in 15 matches

Youri Tielemans and Leon Bailey are both doubtful for the match against Bees on Sunday, according to Unai Emery, who is also awaiting word on which players will be healthy enough to make an appearance at the Gtech Community Stadium following the team’s Thursday match with Zrinjski in Bosnia.

After winning 1-0 in the city at the end of the previous month, Villa moved up to the top four ahead of Tottenham in their six Premier League games played in London under Emery.

Three days apart, Villa defeated Man City and Arsenal, the top two teams from the previous season, at home following drawing at home against Bournemouth.

These wins gave Villa an eight-point lead that would put them in sixth place and ensure that they celebrate Christmas inside the top five. They take on Brentford, a team that has dropped as many of its last 18 Premier League games as it has of its last five.

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The Bees lost their encounter against Sheffield United this past Saturday, and they will play Villa on Sunday missing key forward Bryan Mbeumo. Thomas Frank’s team has won three of the last four games at the Gtech Community Stadium despite their recent dismal performance.

Asked about team news, Emery said: “Today is a really difficult day for us to know how we can face on Sunday against Brentford because some players they are a bit tired and some players have injuries. Tomorrow we will know how they will be for Sunday, whether they will be available or not.

“It is very important to rest, all we can do is rest. Tomorrow we will prepare the match. Sunday will be a challenge for us and we are motivated. The players are ready in their mind being aware about how we can play on Sunday and the possibility to keep a good position in the table.

“Tielemans and Bailey are both doubts. Olsen is out. Traore is out and we have two players suspended, Lucas Digne and Douglas Luiz. The players that played yesterday, we are going to wait for tomorrow.”

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