João Gomes has been left out of Aston Villa's squad for tonight's League Cup tie away to Coventry City. Birmingham Live reports that the midfielder is experiencing some discomfort, which prompted the decision to omit him from the travelling party at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
Many observers anticipated that Gomes would return to the starting line-up after he sat out Saturday's 2-1 home defeat by Nottingham Forest through suspension. The Brazilian was dismissed for violent conduct on the opening weekend of the season and subsequently served a three-match ban covering the fixtures against Arsenal, Hull City and Forest.
His only appearance since that red card came in the Champions League, where he started the 3-2 victory over Club Brugge at the Jan Breydelstadion earlier this month. Gomes arrived at Villa Park from Wolverhampton Wanderers in July and has been working to establish himself in Unai Emery's midfield.
Without him, Emery has selected an altered side for the cup visit. The starting eleven features Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Tyrone Mings in defence, with Matteo Ruggeri operating further forward. Ibrahim Mbaye, Ross Barkley and John McGinn are among those tasked with controlling the middle of the pitch, while Tammy Abraham leads the attack.
Zion Suzuki, Matty Cash, Victor Lindelof, Boubacar Kamara, Emiliano Buendía, Nicolas Jackson, Alejandro Garnacho, Johan Manzambi and Alysson are listed among the substitutes available for the 8pm kick-off.
Villa travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday lunchtime for their next Premier League fixture before the schedule pauses for the international period.
