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The 13 Aston Villa players set for extra work after ‘crazy’ Unai Emery response

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has a limited amount of first-team players to work with during the international break

Published: Wednesday, 23 September 2026 at 2:20 PM
The 13 Aston Villa players set for extra work after ‘crazy’ Unai Emery response
Key Things to Know
  • Unai Emery criticized the three-week international break as "crazy" due to squad disruption.
  • Ten Aston Villa players have left for international duty, leaving a depleted first-team group.
  • Villa scheduled friendlies against Southampton and Sevilla to maintain match fitness during the layoff.
The Story in 60 Seconds

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery will work with a severely depleted squad during an extended three-week international break. Ten senior players have departed for international duty, including captain John McGinn, Nicolas Jackson, and Zion Suzuki. Emery voiced frustration over the elongated schedule, describing the three-week pause as "crazy" and citing concerns over disrupted player integration.

Villa will maintain fitness with two scheduled friendlies against Southampton behind closed doors and Sevilla in Spain. A core group remaining at Bodymoor Heath includes Tammy Abraham, Boubacar Kamara, Alejandro Garnacho, and Tyrone Mings, alongside several recovering players.

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