Aston Villa have added a new player to their List A Champions League squad due to Matteo Ruggeri's injury

Taylor Harwood-Bellis has been added to Aston Villa’s Champions League league phase squad following Matteo Ruggeri’s injury.

The Italian left-back is nursing a hamstring injury that is expected to keep him out of action for around two months.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka is also injured, but he is expected to return to action within the next four weeks.

UEFA rules state that a player can be added to a club’s List A squad if an injury is expected to keep a player out for at least 60 days.

“A replacement of an outfield player registered on List A is permitted in the case of a long-term injury or illness lasting at least 60 days,” UEFA’s rules state.

“During the league phase, up to and including Matchday 6, a club may temporarily replace a maximum of one outfield player and register a new outfield player, provided that player was already registered with the club before the List A deadline of 2 September 2026.

“The locally trained players quota must continue to be respected. If the injured or ill player recovers before the end of the 60-day period, that player remains ineligible to participate in UEFA club competitions until the end of the period.”

Ruggeri can, therefore, return to action later in the league phase, but Harwood-Bellis takes his place in the squad in the meantime.