---
title: "Aston Villa face fired-up Fofana as Sevilla star puts in extra work before Emery reunion"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2026/10/01/aston-villa-sevilla-fofana-extra-training/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "James Chettle"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2026-10-01T06:29:00Z"
modified: "2026-10-01T06:29:00Z"
---

# Aston Villa face fired-up Fofana as Sevilla star puts in extra work before Emery reunion

Aston Villa could face a particularly sharp Yossouf Fofana in Friday’s Sevilla friendly after the midfielder used his days off to continue working on his fitness.

According to [Spanish newspaper AS](https://as.com/futbol/fofana-acelera-su-puesta-a-punto-pese-a-estar-de-vacaciones-f202609-n/), Fofana shared videos of himself training during a break in Paris before returning to Seville.

The report identifies him as a likely attraction for the Antonio Puerta Trophy, although his involvement remains subject to selection.

## Fofana adds intrigue to Aston Villa Sevilla friendly

For Villa, an opponent putting extra work into his preparation adds interest to a fixture that falls during the international break.

If Fofana plays, his performance should offer a useful test of how quickly Villa’s midfield can settle into its passing rhythm and respond when possession changes hands.

That is one reason this game could offer Emery more than a chance to distribute minutes. The quality of the opposition matters when assessing players pushing for greater involvement.

Our assessment of [Emery’s selection questions for the Sevilla trip](https://readastonvilla.com/2026/09/29/aston-villa-sevilla-emery-selection-tests/) looks at the opportunities available within his squad.

Friday also brings a return to the ground where Emery built his reputation with three consecutive Europa League triumphs.

The match kicks off at 7.30pm BST at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán. Our [Sevilla vs Aston Villa match guide](https://readastonvilla.com/2026/09/28/sevilla-aston-villa-kick-off-time-tickets-how-to-follow/) has the ticket information and latest coverage details.