Aston Villa midfielder João Gomes is available to return against Club Brugge on Tuesday despite remaining suspended from domestic football.
The £38million summer signing has not played since being sent off on his competitive Villa debut during the 4-0 defeat at Brighton.
Gomes received a three-match domestic ban following his dismissal for violent conduct, ruling him out against Arsenal and Hull City and also leaving him unavailable for Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Nottingham Forest.
However, that suspension does not prevent Gomes from featuring in the Champions League.
UEFA lists the Brazil international in Aston Villa’s registered Champions League squad and specifically includes Tuesday’s Club Brugge vs Aston Villa fixture among his upcoming matches.
João Gomes can return for Aston Villa in Belgium
Gomes’ availability gives Unai Emery another important midfield option after Villa’s difficult opening weeks.
Ross Barkley partnered Boubacar Kamara during Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Hull, while Leon Goretzka did not make the matchday squad.
We have already included Gomes in our predicted Aston Villa line-up against Club Brugge, with the 25-year-old potentially returning alongside Kamara.
Villa paid Wolves an initial £34m plus £4m in potential add-ons for Gomes in July, with Sky Sports confirming the £38m agreement.
His Villa career could hardly have started more frustratingly.
The midfielder was dismissed after 39 minutes against Brighton and has subsequently watched Villa lose to Arsenal before drawing at Hull.
That could now change in Belgium.
UEFA’s disciplinary rules apply European suspensions to UEFA club competitions, while Gomes’ current punishment stems from his domestic red card.
Villa’s complete Champions League squad guide confirms Gomes is among Emery’s six registered midfielders.
Tuesday therefore offers the Brazilian an unexpected opportunity to return before he is eligible to play in the Premier League again.
