Unai Emery looking to solve Aston Villa’s defensive crisis ahead of Celtic clash

Unai Emery is working on solutions for Aston Villa’s defensive crisis ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Celtic.

Villa are down to one recognised centre-back after Tyrone Mings limped off during Sunday’s 1-1 draw with West Ham with a knee injury.

The 31-year-old left the field in tears after picking up the first-half problem, though Emery later said it is not a serious injury.

But he is unlikely to be fit for the final game of the league phase which means, with Pau Torres also out injured and Diego Carlos recently leaving to join Fenerbahce, Ezri Konsa is the only available centre-back.

Emery is pondering his options, with left-back Lucas Digne able to move inside as he did against the Hammers or youngster Lamare Bogarde also a possibility.

“I didn’t decide Bogarde against West Ham, I decided Lucas because he has experience and he can play trying to keep the same structure we want,” Emery said.

“We are going to try to identify how we will get the performance we need tactically selecting the players. Maybe, I don’t know, repeat with Lucas, maybe with Lamare, maybe with one midfielder can play there, I will decide it.”

West Ham boss Graham Potter has called on Lucas Paqueta to “understand the responsibility” of being his side’s star player.

Paqueta put in a man-of-the-match display, playing in a false nine position at Villa Park.

With West Ham’s dearth of striking options, their attacking hopes are falling on the Brazilian’s shoulders.

“It looks like he’s enjoying his football,” Potter said. “That’s the main thing for me with Lucas, to enjoy his football, to understand the responsibility that comes with someone of his quality and his importance for the team.

“It was hard for him to play three games in a week and the effort that he puts in to sustain that.

“So, it probably was a reflection of where he was at Crystal Palace but everything else has been a really, really high level.

“He’s an attacking player that can produce actions that are of a really high level, so we just need to get him enjoying his football.”

Paqueta did seem to end the match at Villa Park with an injury after pulling up and holding his groin.

Potter added: “I’m hoping it’s fatigue. I think too early for me to say, I don’t know. We’ll wait to see the next 24-48 hours.”