In the first half of the match against Nottingham Forest, he was substituted.
Aston Villa has faced escalating injury concerns in their center-back position over the past few weeks. Initially, Ezri Konsa suffered a knee problem during the 5-0 Premier League victory against Sheffield United, and he is anticipated to be sidelined until the beginning of the upcoming month. Adding to the setback, Diego Carlos sustained a hamstring injury during a training session, casting doubt on his availability until after the March international break. It’s worth noting that Unai Emery had earlier experienced the loss of Tyrone Mings to a season-ending knee injury in August.
| Aston Villa injury list | ||
|---|---|---|
| Player | Injury | Possible return |
| Boubacar Kamara | Knee | Out for the season |
| Emi Buendia | Knee | Out for the season |
| Tyrone Mings | Knee | Out for the season |
| Jhon Duran | Hamstring | Early April |
| Diego Carlos | Hamstring | Mid-March |
| Ezri Konsa | Knee | Early March |
When Pau Torres was substituted at halftime in Saturday’s 4-2 victory over Nottingham Forest, the Spaniard was undoubtedly lamenting his bad luck once more. It was Chambers’ first appearance in the top division of the season. Torres’ condition has now been updated, and happily for Villa, it’s excellent news.
Torres could feature at Luton
As per The Express and Star, there is a sense of “cautious optimism” within Aston Villa regarding Torres’s availability for the upcoming match against relegation-threatened Luton Town this weekend.
#avfc have a cautious optimism Pau Torres will be available to face Luton on Saturday. Initial prognosis positive, though the defender will be assessed again later in the week. Calum Chambers on standby: https://t.co/ID7QkG7R8A
— matt maher (@mjmarr_star) February 27, 2024
Confirmation of Torres’ availability is still pending, as further assessment is scheduled later in the week. However, there is a positive indication that he has managed to avoid any significant setbacks amid Aston Villa’s pursuit of Champions League qualification.
“Barcelona and Real Madrid” claim shows Torres’ value
Since joining Aston Villa from Unai Emery’s former club Villarreal in the summer, Torres has emerged as a crucial figure, featuring in 18 out of 22 available league games. The manager is pleased with the 27-year-old’s ability to execute instructions effectively.
Emery spoke about Pau Torres, praising his skill and high level of play. Torres, who they previously worked with in Spain, has showcased consistency while representing the Spanish national team. Emery highlighted the challenges of adapting to the demanding nature of the Premier League, especially in physical duels with top-notch strikers. The primary focus for Torres is improving his strength in such situations. Emery values Torres’ quick adaptation and proficiency in playing with the ball, considering him crucial to the playing style and vision Emery is implementing at Aston Villa. Emery expressed that if he were coaching at Barcelona or Real Madrid, he would desire a player like Pau Torres on his team.
Emery acknowledges Torres’ significance in possession, and indeed, his qualities have played a pivotal role in Aston Villa’s build-up this season. Among those who have started a league match for Villa this season, Torres stands out with the highest average of passes into the final third, recording 5.98 per 90. Additionally, he leads the defenders in progressive passes with 5.54. His absence results in a dual loss for the team, making it a relief for Villa that they can likely rely on him during the upcoming tense run-in of matches.