Villa arrange Sevilla friendly as nine players depart for international duty

Aston Villa will use the forthcoming international window to keep their remaining players sharp, with two friendly matches arranged while nine members of the senior squad represent their countries. Birmingham Live reports that Unai Emery intends to take those left behind at Bodymoor Heath to Spain for a game against Sevilla on Friday 2 October, following a private fixture against Southampton beforehand.

Goalkeeper Zion Suzuki has been selected by Japan, while summer arrivals Nicolas Jackson and Ibrahim Mbaye will both turn out for Senegal. Captain John McGinn joins the Scotland setup, Johan Manzambi travels with Switzerland and George Hemmings answers an England Under-20s call-up from Darren Moore. Defensively, Matty Cash and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are away with Poland and DR Congo respectively, alongside Victor Lindelof, who links up with Sweden.

The absences leave Emery with a significantly thinned-out training group. There is also uncertainty over Marco Bizot, who sustained a back problem during the League Cup victory at Coventry City last week. James Wright served as the reserve goalkeeper when Villa beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 on Saturday, and he may be required again if the Belgian is not fit to resume training.

With no Premier League action until Brentford visit Villa Park on Saturday 10 October, the Sevilla trip offers Emery a competitive run-out for fringe players and recent signings. The club has not commented publicly on the schedule.