Unai Emery has given fans an injury update ahead of Fulham vs Aston Villa with trio ‘not likely’ to return before the end of the season.
Villa are aiming to return to winning ways this weekend. The Champions League prospects have hit a poor run of form of late and were defeated by Man United 2-1 last weekend at Villa Park.
A trip to London is up next for the Villains as they travel down to Fulham aiming to reclaim a spot in the top four.
However, news in the week has not been kind to Emery’s side. It was confirmed that Boubacar Kamara picked up an ACL injury against Man United. Diego Carlos was next to be confirmed injured as the club’s injury crisis worsened.
Ahead of the Fulham trip, Emery has offered more clarity on the injury front as he confirmed that multiple players will not be back on the pitch this season.
Unai Emery confirms Aston Villa trio won’t appear again this season
Diego Carlos and Kamara now join Tyrone Mings and Emi Buendia out on the sidelines. The latter two have been long-term absentees for Villa and big losses for the majority of the campaign.
Mings has had more positive news of late with the club posting an update about the centre-back’s progress earlier this week.
However, alongside Kamara and Buendia, Emery cannot see any of the trio appearing again for the side this campaign.
“It’s most difficult, firstly, for the player, as a person, when they have been injured and when they’re injured for a long time, it’s the worst in football,” Emery said reflecting on Kamara’s injury.
“We had two injuries for a long time, for all season, Tyrone Mings and Emi Buendía. And now it’s the same with Boubacar Kamara, his injury is ACL.
“He’s going to be out for the rest of the season. Maybe, more or less, in September or October he is coming back.”
Emery then went on to add: “Always they are in our minds, their spirit, they support us every day here at the training ground. It’s very important.”
“I think all season they are going to be out. But hopefully they can come back to train at the end of the season with the group.
“And try to start next season being completely fine to come back playing like they were playing before.”
Injuries a blow to Aston Villa’s Champions League ambitions
Villa have now suffered a big blow to their Champions League ambitions over recent weeks. While it was expected that Kamara would be out for the season after his injury, many had hoped that at least Mings would make it back. However, it is now clear that this is impossible.
Emery will no doubt have his work cut out for him if he wants to achieve Champions League football this season.
Their next test against Fulham will be a big indicator of how well Villa will be able to cope with the situation. Fulham is a difficult place to go and if Villa can take home three points, it will do the squad a world of good and give them some much-needed confidence.
