Leon Goretzka is expected to remain sidelined until October as Aston Villa continue to wait for the summer signing’s debut.
The 31-year-old has yet to make a competitive appearance for Unai Emery’s side after joining Villa following his departure from Bayern Munich.
Goretzka revealed on Instagram that his body had reacted to an increased workload after a period away from regular competitive football, forcing him to take a short break from training at full intensity.
Fresh reporting on Wednesday says the midfielder is now expected to remain unavailable until October. Bavarian Football Works says Villa supporters will have to wait until next month to see Goretzka in action.
FotMob currently lists Goretzka with a knee injury suffered on 7 September and gives an expected return of early October.
That rules him out of Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Nottingham Forest and means his Aston Villa debut will be delayed beyond the September fixtures.
Leon Goretzka explains Aston Villa setback
Goretzka thanked supporters for the welcome he has received since completing his move and said his first days at Villa have reinforced his belief that he made the right decision.
However, his attempts to quickly build match fitness have resulted in a setback.
The 31-year-old explained that his body had “reacted to the increased workload” and said he now requires a short period of recovery before returning at full strength.
He intends to use the coming days and the international break to complete that recovery.
That means Tuesday’s Champions League opener against Club Brugge comes too soon.
It also delays a debut which appeared increasingly close only days ago.
Emery had previously suggested Goretzka could make the squad for Hull after completing additional training sessions, but the former Bayern midfielder was absent from both the starting XI and bench.
We highlighted that surprise in our confirmed Aston Villa XI against Hull.
Aston Villa must wait for Goretzka debut
Villa secured Goretzka on a free transfer during the closing stages of the summer window after Emery became directly involved in bringing the experienced midfielder to Villa Park.
Our original report on Goretzka’s Aston Villa agreement detailed how quickly negotiations progressed once the Germany international opened the door to the move.
The setback is particularly frustrating given Villa’s midfield situation.
Amadou Onana remains a long-term absentee, while Johan Manzambi has also been working his way back from injury.
João Gomes can at least return against Club Brugge because his domestic suspension does not apply in UEFA competition.
Goretzka, meanwhile, will focus on getting his body fully prepared rather than rushing his first appearance.
His Villa debut will have to wait a little longer.
