Aston Villa have received a welcome triple boost with Brian Madjo, Leon Goretzka and Pau Torres all returning to training during the international break. Dan Bardell looks at what their respective returns could mean for Unai Emery ahead of a demanding run of fixtures.
Aston Villa have been handed a significant boost during the international break with Brian Madjo, Leon Goretzka and Pau Torres all returning to training as Unai Emery's side prepare for their friendly against Sevilla.
The trio trained with Villa at their camp in Spain this week, and while that does not necessarily mean any of them will be involved against Sevilla on Friday evening, just having all three back amongst the group is a really positive development ahead of the return to Premier League action against Brentford on October 10.
Madjo is probably the most exciting of the three simply because we have been waiting to see him again since that extraordinary night against Paris Saint-Germain in the Super Cup. The 17-year-old started and scored against the European champions, giving Marquinhos and Willian Pacho an incredibly difficult evening, but picked up an injury shortly afterwards and has not played since. Emery had already indicated that the international break was the period in which Villa hoped to get him back into full training, so seeing him involved now suggests that recovery has gone broadly to plan.
It has been frustrating because the PSG performance created so much excitement around Madjo and we haven't had the opportunity to see what might have followed it. There should be absolutely no rush with a player of his age, particularly now Villa have Nicolas Jackson and Tammy Abraham as senior options, but getting him fit and available gives Emery something completely different and finally allows Madjo to start building on what he showed in Salzburg.
Goretzka's situation has been frustrating in a different way because we haven't seen him competitively at all. He arrived as one of Villa's most intriguing summer additions but suffered a knee problem after his body reacted to the increased workload following a period without football, delaying his debut beyond what anybody would have wanted. Villa have deliberately given him time rather than forcing the issue, and getting him through training now is another important step towards finally seeing what he can add to a midfield already containing Boubacar Kamara, João Gomes and Ross Barkley.
Pau's absence has been shorter but arguably more noticeable. He suffered a hamstring injury against Nottingham Forest on September 12 and Tyrone Mings has deputised since, but Pau remains such a distinctive player within Emery's squad because of what he gives Villa in possession and the way he progresses the ball from the left side of central defence. His return would give Emery another major option at a time when the games are about to arrive very quickly.
That is really why this international break could prove so useful. Villa have had players away with their countries, but Emery has also been given an unusual period to work with those left behind and, importantly, rehabilitate some of those who have been missing.
Friday's friendly with Sevilla should give us another indication of exactly where Madjo, Goretzka and Pau are in their respective recoveries. Whether they play or not, having all three back on the training pitch already makes Villa's squad look considerably healthier ahead of Brentford and a very demanding October.
