Barcelona Await Jules Koundé’s Recovery Before Aston Villa Match

Barcelona are still waiting for Jules Koundé to return from his ankle injury as attention turns to Tuesday’s Champions League match against Aston Villa.

The defender remained unavailable in the club’s official squad announcement for Saturday’s league meeting with Alavés. Barcelona have not confirmed that he will be cleared for their next European fixture.

AS reported on October 30 that Koundé had not rejoined group training after spraining his left ankle against Betis two weeks earlier. Initial expectations of an absence lasting around a week had already been exceeded.

The report said his recovery would be monitored over the days before Tuesday. No comeback date was announced.

Koundé’s absence is part of a wider defensive shortage. Andreas Christensen, Eric García and Xavi Espart were also unavailable for Alavés, with the club confirming those names alongside Roony Bardghji and Dani Olmo on its list of absentees.

Hansi Flick included Guillem Víctor and Campos in the Saturday squad, while Ebrima Tunkara was another academy player called up. Their inclusion expanded the group while the injured senior players recovered.

Flick used Brian Fariñas at right-back for his first-team debut against Alavés. Frenkie de Jong partnered Pau Cubarsí in central defense as Barcelona adapted to the continued absence of four defenders.

AS reported greater optimism about Christensen and Eric García being available for the November 8 league trip to Atlético Madrid. Neither possibility should be treated as a confirmed return, and it does not establish Koundé’s recovery timetable.

Barcelona won Saturday’s match 6–1, with Raphinha and Lamine Yamal each scoring twice and Fermín López and Anthony Gordon also on target. The result kept Flick’s side top of La Liga after ten wins from eleven games, while Koundé remained outside the matchday squad.