Unai Emery reveals Aston Villa Champions League squad decision as two January signings miss out
Villa have left Andres Garcia and Donyell Malen out of their squad for the Champions League knockout stages.
The pair were among five signings in the transfer window but Uefa rules allow only three to be added to the squad for European matches.
While Garcia, a £5million signing from Levante, was always likely to miss out.
Malen, a £21m capture from Borussia Dortmund, is more of a surprise with the forward having reached the final of last year’s competition with the German club.
But with Villa suffering something of a defensive crisis, Emery has instead opted for centre-back Alex Disasi, a deadline day loan signing from Chelsea.
Fellow loan signings Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio have also been picked.
He said: “The rules only can register three changes. We changed five players and only we can register three.
“The decision we had to take and they are out, Andreas Garcia and Donyell Malan. It was not a good decision, but I spoke with Andreas and Donyell Malan to tell them the decision and I argued my decision with them.”
Disasi is cup-tied for Sunday’s FA Cup fourth round against Tottenham. Midfielder Boubacar Kamara is again expected to fill in at the back, with Pau Torres and Tyrone Mings again absent through injury.
Ollie Watkins is also due to be missing with the muscle problem he sustained in last weekend’s derby defeat at Wolves.
