Victor Lindelöf’s return to international duty has sparked fresh debate about his fitness, as Sweden manager Jon Dahl Tomasson conceded the Aston Villa defender cannot yet complete a full 90 minutes.
After leaving Manchester United in the summer, Lindelöf only signed for Villa in September, leaving him without a full pre-season and with just 25 minutes under Unai Emery so far.
Despite his limited game time, Sweden have called him up for the current international break, though Tomasson was quick to stress his limitations.
Tomasson admits Lindelöf is short of fitness
Fotbollskanalen quoted the Sweden boss outlining his stance:
“We have Victor Lindelöf who hasn’t played much the last four months. He won’t be able to play 90 minutes. But we’ll look into it… Not an optimal situation but I’m happy to have him back in the squad with his leadership.” — Jon Dahl Tomasson
Tomasson added that Sweden have several players struggling for fitness and sharpness, with Lindelöf’s situation the most high-profile. His leadership qualities and experience remain valuable, but he is unlikely to start and finish games.
Aston Villa cautious as Sweden use Lindelöf
For Aston Villa, the risk is that their new signing could end up featuring more for Sweden than he has so far for Emery. The club eased him in with a short substitute appearance, recognising his lack of competitive football since leaving Manchester United in June.
Lindelöf’s lack of a pre-season means Villa are keen to manage his workload carefully, especially as the Premier League schedule intensifies. While minutes with Sweden could boost his match sharpness, they also raise concerns about potential strain on a body not yet conditioned for sustained action.
Victor Lindelöf 2025/26 snapshot
| Stat (2025/26) | Victor Lindelöf |
|---|---|
| Aston Villa Appearances | 4 (substitute) |
| Minutes Played | 25 |
| Starts | 0 |
| International Call-Up | Sweden – October 2025 |
source: Fotbollskanalen & Premier League data – 4 October 2025
These figures underline his lack of action this season, making Sweden’s use of him a balancing act.
Analyst verdict
FootballPlace analyst John William believes Sweden’s decision is understandable but risky. “Lindelöf offers leadership and defensive stability, but when a player has barely featured at club level, the national team must tread carefully. Tomasson seems aware of that — limiting him to shorter spells may actually help rebuild fitness without risking injury.”
He added: “From Villa’s perspective, a handful of international minutes could accelerate Lindelöf’s readiness for the Premier League. But Emery will hope Sweden don’t push him too far too soon.”
Key insights
- Victor Lindelöf signed for Aston Villa in September after leaving Manchester United.
- He has played only 25 minutes for Villa so far this season.
- Sweden manager Jon Dahl Tomasson admitted he cannot play 90 minutes.
- Lindelöf’s leadership remains valued, but fitness is a major concern.
- His international minutes may exceed his club minutes this month.
What’s next for Lindelöf and Aston Villa?
Villa resume Premier League action after the international break, with Emery’s squad already battling a congested schedule. Lindelöf will need careful integration if he is to provide defensive depth.
For Sweden, the October fixtures may provide valuable game time for Lindelöf, but his role is likely to be restricted to short cameos. How he copes physically will determine whether he can push for a more prominent role with Aston Villa later this autumn.
👉 Should Sweden risk using Lindelöf while he is still short of match fitness, or leave him to build sharpness at Aston Villa?
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