Team news for Boro tie

Unai Emery remains without a handful of players for Aston Villa’s FA Cup third-round tie at Middlesbrough.

Pau Torres, Lucas Digne, Youri Tielemans and Bertrand Traoré will all miss the trip to the Riverside, as will goalkeeper Robin Olsen, as they overcome injury.

They join long-term absentees Tyrone Mings and Emi Buendía on the sidelines for the encounter in the north east.

However, Boubacar Kamara returns to the fold having completed his three-match suspension.

Head coach Emery said: “The (long-term) players injured – Tyrone Mings and Emi Buendía.

“Pau is also not available, nor Lucas Digne, Bertrand Traoré or Youri Tielemans.

“The other players are ready.”

Emery, speaking at Friday afternoon’s media conference, was also asked about the possibility of making changes to his side for the clash against Boro.

He added: “I don’t like to speak about rotation, for me it’s trying to get the best performances with every player.

“Try to give them chances and opportunities to show the qualities they have in the team.

“Every player is working with the same structure tactically, offensively and defensively, the mentality we want to build.

“Every player is ready to play and, of course, some want to play more, some less.

“But tomorrow it is the same idea I have in my mind, try to play with the starting XI and players on the bench ready to play - getting our performances, our strong structure, with the ball, without the ball.

“I am not now deciding for tomorrow the starting XI because I want to know something more during today and tomorrow morning.

“We’re going to meet tomorrow morning with the team and I will tell them the idea, with the players who are in the squad.”