Leon Goretzka injury deepens Aston Villa's goalless crisis

Leon Goretzka's body forced him to stop on Monday, September 7, 2026. The 31-year-old midfielder announced on Instagram that he needs a short break after his body reacted to increased workload following a period without matches. “It is frustrating, but I need this short break now so I can come back at full strength,” he wrote. Goretzka thanked Aston Villa fans for their warm welcome and said he feels he is in the right place. He wants to use the next few weeks to recover fully. The former Bayern Munich midfielder will miss at least four more matches. Aston Villa travel to Club Brugge in the Champions League on Tuesday still searching for their first points of the season. They also have two Premier League games and one League Cup tie before the international break. Villa return to action on October 10 against Brentford. This is a huge blow for a team already in crisis. After three Premier League matches this season, Aston Villa are without a win and without a goal. They lost twice at the start and then drew 0-0 with Nottingham Forest at the weekend. The club sold four key players during the summer transfer window: Morgan Rogers, Ezri Konsa, Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins. Those departures removed creativity, defensive speed, midfield control and goalscoring presence. Goretzka joined Aston Villa on a free transfer after eight years at Bayern Munich and 73 caps for Germany, but he has not been able to help yet. Emery's side lack rhythm in midfield. Without Tielemans, they cannot control the tempo of games. Without Watkins, they have no focal point in the box. Without Konsa, their defensive line is less confident. The new signings need time to understand each other, but results do not wait. The Champions League fixture against Club Brugge is now even more daunting. Villa need to find a way to score quickly. Emery may have to change his system or give young players a bigger role. The next four matches before the international break will define their season. If the goalless run continues, the pressure on the squad and the coach will become unbearable.