Aston Villa given huge advantage as star man confirmed out ahead of first game at Villa Park

Everton’s star striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin could miss up to 10 weeks of the new Premier League campaign and therefore will definitely miss the trip to Villa Park on August 13.

A statement from the club confirmed that the England international suffered a knee injury in training and there are varied reports suggesting he could miss between six to 10 weeks.

Unless the Toffees make a move in the transfer market before the clash with Aston Villa, they will go into the game without a single recognised striker on their books after Brazilian forward Richarlison was sold to Everton earlier in the window.

Whilst nobody would wish injury on a player, the set-back for Calvert-Lewin gives Villa a huge advantage in the fixture between the two in just over one week’s time.

This comes off the back of unfortunate injury news for their first opponents in Bournemouth, too, with Cherries boss Scott Parker confirming that two of his summer signings will both miss the opener against the claret & blue through problems of their own.

What’s been said?

Frank Lampard

“We are assessing Dom’s injury. No timeframe has been confirmed and we are pretty sure what level it is so we are hopeful it is not long-term.

“We’ll miss him for Chelsea. He was looking in great physical condition and was training really well. It was a freak injury in training, which does happen. It’s a shame but we have to find the solutions to keep ourselves strong without Dominic before he returns.”