Aston Villa hardly-seen duo set for starting XI after double development - expert
Unai Emery will be forced to play his new Aston Villa signings after injuries to both Ian Maatsen and Pau Torres.
That is the opinion of former senior Villa scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
Both players picked up the injuries in Saturday's 2-1 loss to Nottingham Forest and are expected to spend at least a month on the injury table - likely more in Maatsen's case.
Villa brought in 10 new players in the summer transfer window, having lost six of the team that started the Europa League final.
Yet the likes of Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Alejandro Garnacho and Matteo Ruggeri are yet to get a sniff under Emery, who has been wedded to using the players he already knows.
Injuries will force the Spaniard to play his new options, however, with clashes against Coventry City and Tottenham coming before the extended international break.
Aston Villa have bought 'average players'
For all of Villa's signings, it is far too early to say if they will prove to have been strong additions.
Zion Suzuki and Nicolas Jackson have started well and despite Joao Gomes' horror start against Brighton, he did play well against Club Brugge.
In most cases, it appears Emery has attempted to blood in his new signings, but he will now be forced to speed up that process.
"Emery, I just feel that Aston Villa have created their own situation here. To sell so much quality and bring in what I would call pretty average, spend a lot of money for pretty average players," King told Football Insider.
"Imagine how the supporters feel there, because now they've got Torres and Maatsen. One's got a hamstring injury. One got an ankle injury.
"They could be out for, I think they're talking about hamstring, could be four weeks. Maatsen could be out six to eight weeks. I think it could be a tough three months to Christmas."
"Why would you be reluctant to involve your new signings as soon as possible? You pay that kind of money," he added.
"When you're paying money and you're bringing in players, then you've got to bring them into the team structure as soon as possible. But I just feel that Aston Villa have created their own situation."
Unai Emery sends message to Villa defender
Harwood-Bellis has experienced a difficult start to life since making the £30million summer switch from Southampton.
The defender was signed to replace Ezri Konsa following his £54m move to Arsenal, and likely expected to go straight into the line-up.
But Harwood-Bellis was left out of the Champions League squad, and is yet to even make the squad for a Villa game.
"We needed to take off someone [from the bench] and it is Taylor," said Emery after the Nottingham Forest game. "But now with the injury to Pau, is coming his time.”