Harry Kane injury latest as Bayern Munich handed huge scare ahead of Aston Villa clash
Bayern Munich have been handed an injury scare by Harry Kane just days before they are due to play Aston Villa at Villa Park in the Champions League
by James Quinlan, https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/authors/james-quinlan/ · Birmingham LiveHarry Kane has provided Bayern Munich with a fresh injury scare four days before they are due to play Aston Villa in the first Champions League fixture at Villa Park in over four decades.
Anticipation for Villa 's return to Europe's elite club competition has been building ever since finishing fourth last term, and even more so when UEFA's draw last month handed them a rapidly-sold-out league stage tie with Bayern in a repeat of 1982's European Cup final.
Vincent Kompany's side have been flying high of late, scoring nine goals in their Champions League opener against Dinamo Zagreb and also netting 16 in their first four Bundesliga fixtures of the new term. Their fifth match of the season, directly before Wednesday's meeting with Villa, interestingly paired them with reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen.
That meeting ended level at 1-1 in Munich, though dropped points may not be the biggest concern for the Germans. This is because England captain Kane was on the receiving end of a heavy challenge from Amine Adli in the closing stages and the blow to his ankle meant he had to be substituted.
A string of club chiefs addressed the issue after the full-time whistle, starting with Kompany. The manager told Sky Sports: "I'm not a doctor, but I hope nothing serious. It's still early to say. Hopefully he'll be fit for Wednesday."
"If Harry goes off the pitch, something really happened," sporting director Max Eberl added, and having seen replays of the injury admitted: "It doesn't look good."
Finally, CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen told AZ: "He picked up a knock. But as the doctors said, it's probably nothing serious. We'll have to see tomorrow."
The striker's spell with Tottenham Hotspur bore eight goals and two assists in 12 Premier League head-to-heads, so Bayern will be desperately hoping he is fit and able to compete in just a few days' time. Meanwhile Villa will be hoping the same fate does not befall them with any of their star players when they face Ipswich Town in the Premier League on Sunday.