Johan Manzambi is currently listed as unavailable for Aston Villa’s Champions League opener against Club Brugge as the £59.5million summer signing continues his recovery from a knee injury.
Unai Emery had previously suggested Tuesday’s trip to Belgium could potentially provide Manzambi with his first opportunity to return.
However, UEFA’s latest Champions League Matchday 1 team-news guide now lists the Switzerland international among Villa’s players out for the fixture.
The final decision should become clearer when Emery provides his official pre-match injury update later on Monday.
Johan Manzambi injury latest before Club Brugge
Manzambi has yet to make his competitive Aston Villa debut since completing his £59.5m move from Freiburg during the summer.
The midfielder has been recovering from a knee problem which kept him out of Villa’s opening Premier League matches.
Emery previously left open the possibility of Manzambi returning either against Club Brugge or Nottingham Forest, as covered in our latest Johan Manzambi injury update.
UEFA’s latest update points towards the second of those fixtures becoming more realistic.
Manzambi is nevertheless registered in Villa’s 23-man Champions League squad, so he will be available to Emery once he completes his recovery.
His absence would leave Villa looking elsewhere for changes after Saturday’s goalless draw at Hull.
UEFA currently predicts a midfield pairing of Boubacar Kamara and João Gomes, with Gomes available to return because his domestic suspension does not apply in the Champions League.
Our predicted Aston Villa XI against Club Brugge will be updated again once Emery confirms his final team news.
For Manzambi, Tuesday now appears increasingly likely to come too soon.
