Aston Villa injury crisis deepens as 23-year-old 'tears muscle' on international duty

Amadou Onana is a new injury doubt for Aston Villa after tearing a muscle on international duty with Belgium this week.

The 23-year-old played the full 90 minutes of the 1-0 defeat to Italy on Thursday night but he will have to wait for his next cap. Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri reports Onana has picked up a ‘small muscle tear’ in his foot, an issue expected to keep him out of action for two to three weeks.

If that timescale is to be believed, Onana could miss between two to four matches, the first couple being Crystal Palace and Juventus at home in the Premier League and Champions League respectively. Villa’s fixture list is getting all the busier as we approach the festive period, so it’s far from ideal timing.

Villa will be sweating on the news that Onana has sustained a problem as the Villans are currently enduring quite the injury crisis. Ross Barkley and Matty Cash are hoping to return after the international break but won’t be quite at full sharpness immediately, while Boubacar Kamara, Jacob Ramsey, Pau Torres and Ezri Konsa are all doubts with muscular issues.

Onana has started 10 of Villa’s 11 Premier League matches so far this campaign, as well as three of the four Champions League fixtures. Emery will be hoping to have Onana back as soon as possible but at least he’s got a host of midfield options to choose from.

Kamara would probably be the guaranteed replacement if he were 100 per cent fit but captain John McGinn is another option in the double pivot if need be.