Aston Villa will be without left-back Ian Maatsen for up to eight weeks due to an ankle injury sustained during their recent Premier League match. The 24-year-old defender suffered tendon damage to his right ankle in the 81st minute of Saturday’s 2-1 home loss to Nottingham Forest after a challenge from Forest midfielder James McAtee.

Maatsen’s injury forced a reshuffle in Villa’s defensive lineup, with midfielder John McGinn stepping in as an emergency left-back for the remainder of the match. Unai Emery, Villa’s head coach, expressed frustration that McAtee was only shown a yellow card for the challenge, which he felt warranted a red. Villa had already used all five substitutions at that point, leaving them a man short during the final minutes.

The late stages of the game also saw Nottingham Forest’s Igor Jesus score the decisive goal against Villa’s ten men. Adding to Villa’s difficulties, centre-back Pau Torres was substituted in the first half due to a hamstring problem.

New signing Matteo Ruggeri remained on the bench throughout the match, unable to provide a replacement option at left-back following Maatsen’s injury. The absence of Maatsen, who has been a regular starter, poses a challenge for Emery as Villa look to maintain their defensive stability in upcoming fixtures.