Aston Villa are set to be without five first-team players for their Premier League clash against Fulham on Saturday.
On Monday (February 12th), the club confirmed that Boubacar Kamara suffered a significant knee injury during Villa’s 2-1 Premier League defeat to Manchester United.
According to Dr Rajpal Brar, it could be 18 months until the French midfielder is fully fit.
The 24-year-old’s injury is a damaging blow to Unai Emery, with Villa’s top-four hopes now hanging in the balance after a run of indifferent form.
Aston Villa injury latest
With Kamara out for the season, Emery is without several key players.
Per injury expert Ben Dinnery (Premier Injuries), Emiliano Buendia and Tyrone Mings are both out for the season, with neither player expected to return to training until June.
Jhon Duran is also sidelined, with the Colombian striker expected to be sidelined until the start of April.
Ezri Konsa is also out of the clash against Fulham, with Dinnery expecting the central defender to return at the start of March.
Kamara’s injury is a damaging blow for Villa. The 24-year-old has been an ever-present in recent weeks, making 20 appearances during the season.
Now is the time for two of Villa’s squad players to grasp their opportunity.
Tim Iroegbunam has had to make do with just 23 minutes of Premier League football this season (as per FotMob).
The 20-year-old will have undoubtedly been frustrated, but now his chance could have opened up.
Iroegbunam’s 32 Championship appearances for Queens Park Rangers during the 2022/23 season demonstrated his talent.
He was entrusted to perform at the heart of the Rs midfield and did well, considering his tender age. Emery gifting the young midfielder an opportunity could prove to be the making of him in an Aston Villa shirt.
Another midfielder who has endured a tough campaign is Youri Tielemans. The 26-year-old Belgian has been handed six starts during the 2023/24 season.
With Kamara out for a considerable amount of time, Tielemans should see more game time between now and the end of the season.
Three assists and one goal is a good return from just six starts – and the former Leicester City man will be hoping to show his worth between now and the end of the season.
