Aston Villa were due to host Viking in the Champions League on 21 October, and Unai Emery said his side had no excuses despite injuries. Villa had six points before the match.
Emery outlines injury issues
Emery said: "We are accepting of the injuries we had before."
He said: "So many players we had injured in our process here and now we’re still having some, like Onana for a long time, like Matteo for more or less two months. Coming back and joining us is Ian Maatsen, he’s joined us and is training with us this week."
Matteo Ruggeri was expected to miss roughly two months, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka was sidelined for three to four weeks.
Manzambi unavailable for Viking
Johan Manzambi scored with a 36th-minute header in Aston Villa's 1-0 Premier League win at Newcastle on Saturday, before he was taken off in the 72nd minute with a knock.
Emery said: "Manzambi has a small injury, he’s not available for tomorrow. Aaron has an injury as well, more or less we expect three or four weeks."
Villa boss says there are no excuses
Emery said: "We have enough players, no excuses, and tomorrow we’ll find solutions in case we need to get our performance, of course, collectively and individually in each position."
He said: "Champions League. Every team that plays Champions League because they deserve it, and they are dangerous."
Form before the Champions League match
Aston Villa beat Fenerbahce 6-0, while Viking drew 3-3 with Bayern Munich.
Emery said: "Viking drew against Bayern Munich last week, they lost against Stuttgart. They are with Bodo/Glimt in the league first and second with the same points."
He said: "Viking are a new team as well with the capacity to draw with Bayern Munich and compete against Stuttgart and compete against us tomorrow. This is the Champions League and it is very difficult."
He said: "We have six points which is amazing but difficult. Europe is always very difficult. Each team is very respectful for us."


