Huge blow: Late Villa injury update emerges ahead of Saints, Gerrard will be gutted - opinion

Aston Villa will host Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side this afternoon, and Steven Gerrard will be hoping to end Southampton’s seven-match unbeaten run by securing all three points at Villa Park.

However, a fresh injury update has emerged which could set Villa back in their pursuit of a second consecutive win.

The Villa manager took to his pre-match press conference on Friday to confirm that Carney Chukwuemeka will not be available for the clash with Southampton this afternoon.

Gerrard told the press: “Carney will miss tomorrow’s game, he’s got an outside chance of being involved against Leeds. He’s back out on the pitch, clearing one or two things before he comes back into full training, hopefully on Monday.”

Aston Villa have the opportunity to climb the Premier League table as they are currently level on points with Leicester City and Crystal Palace, whilst only three points away from breaking into the top half.

The former Rangers boss will surely be gutted to have his squad weakened during these important last few months of the season, and he will want to have all of his best options available, with Chukwuemeka a reliable member of the squad and a hot prospect on whom Gerrard will definitely have his eye.

The 18-year-old has been impressing in Premier League 2 this season with two goals and two assists in just six appearances, as well as being rewarded with nine senior appearances, with one assist already in Gerrard’s side despite only being in the starting line-up once. [Transfermarkt]

The teenager has earned the public praise of his manager, who said in December: “We believe in him and we trust him”, in addition to calling the young midfielder a “fantastic talent”.

The youngster could be in contention to gain another