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ZIMBABWEAN midfielder Marvelous Nakamba, Bertrand Traore and Trezeguet could miss up to three games for Aston Villa in the month of January due to their possible involvement in the AFCON finals.
The Nations Cup get underway in January 2022, leaving a number of English Premier League clubs including Villa, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea, without several key stars, at a crucial point of the season.
The tournament was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic and wet weather concerns, but it is now set to go ahead with a host of English Premier League players to jet off, to the continent. The 2021 AFCON was initially due to be held in June and July 2021, but has been put back to early 2022.
It will now take place from January 9 to February 6 2022, with Cameroon hosting the tournament.
That means the Villa trio of Nakamba, Traore, and possibly Trezeguet — if he can recover from injury in time to be selected for Egypt — could miss at least two Premier League games and an FA Cup Third Round fixture.
Villa will travel to Brentford at the start of January.
But, the trio would not be expected to leave the UK until nine days before AFCON kicks off and instead would certainly miss the home clash against Manchester United on January 15, if selected. That Premier League game comes a week after the third round of the FA Cup, which AFCON selected players are also expected to miss.
Depending on how Nakamba, Traore and Trezeguet potentially go in the competition, they could also miss Villa’s trip to Everton on January 22.
Villa then take on Leeds United at Elland Road on February 8, which could also come too soon for Premier League players who reach the latter stages of the tournament. — Birminghammail.co.uk
Online Reporter