Aston Villa signed Leon Goretzka to add experience, physicality and pedigree to their midfield. So far, they have had none of it. The 31-year-old German, capped 73 times by his country, remains unavailable and will not return until after the international break.
Unai Emery wanted him involved from the start of the season, but that plan has already gone off course. Goretzka arrived without a pre-season, has been playing catch-up physically and has now suffered a setback. The result is simple, he missed the Premier League game against Hull City and will also sit out Villa's opening Champions League fixture against Club Brugge.
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This was always a calculated risk. Goretzka has quality, that part is not in dispute. The issue was whether his body and his recent workload would allow Villa to get value quickly enough. At 31, with injury concerns and limited recent football behind him, this was never a straightforward signing.
Now the concerns are louder. He has yet to make his debut and Villa are already moving through a critical stretch of the season without him. For a side trying to establish rhythm in both the Premier League and Champions League, that matters.

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