Aston Villa is set to play a behind-closed-doors friendly against Championship team Sheffield Wednesday on Wednesday. This match is particularly significant as it will provide valuable playing time for recovering players Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara.
Both Mings and Kamara have faced lengthy spells on the sidelines due to serious injuries, with Mings having been out for over a year. However, they are now on the road to recovery and recently made their return by playing 45 minutes in a Premier League 2 match against Newcastle United at Bodymoor Heath over the weekend. Aston Villa is taking advantage of the international break to facilitate their comeback by organizing this friendly, which aims to help Mings and Kamara reintegrate into the first-team setup and align with Unai Emery’s plans for the season.
This strategic move may also clarify why the squad that traveled to face Bolton Wanderers in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday was predominantly younger. Villa’s team featured several young players, as many regulars, including Lamare Bogarde, Jamal Jimoh-Aloba, Ben Broggio, Travis Patterson, Sil Swinkels, and Kerr Smith, were absent from the match. This suggests that these players might be more involved in the upcoming fixture against Sheffield Wednesday.
Sheffield Wednesday has had a decent run of form recently, accumulating seven points in their last three games before the international break. Danny Rohl’s side achieved victories over West Brom and Coventry City, in addition to securing a draw against Bristol City. This match against Villa presents an opportunity for both teams to assess their current form and prepare for the challenges ahead as they look to solidify their standings in their respective leagues.