Aston Villa injury latest ahead of Everton clashplaceholder image
Aston Villa injury latest ahead of Everton clash | Getty Images/ Canva
The latest Aston Villa injury news, including updates on the likes of former Everton star Ross Barkley and key midfielder Boubacar Kamara
Aston Villa have experienced their worst start to a league season since returning to the top-flight in 2019.The West Midlands side are without a victory in any of their opening three matches and are still to find the net after a 0-0 home draw with 10 men against Newcastle United and subsequent defeats against Brentford and Crystal Palace.
It leaves Unai Emery’s side with plenty of work to do in the coming weeks as they aim to produce a much more well-rounded performance against Everton before facing Brentford away for the second time in a matter of weeks during a third round League Cup tie at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Aston Villa have came through pre-season with largely a fully fit team. However, there are still a few notable absentees that are more than capable of making a big impact. With that in mind we've got all of the latest injury news on Villa’s stricken players below and when fans can expect them to return to the pitch.
How long will Aston Villa be without Boubacar Kamara?
French midfielder Boubacar Kamara endured an injury-hit start to last season and once again faces a period on the sidelines after sustaining a hamstring injury during the defeat to Brentford. The former Marseille man, who also missed the 4-1 defeat to Crystal Palace last term, was a huge miss in the middle of the park as the Eagles controlled the midfield battle at Villa Park.
Fans will be banking on him returning to fitness as soon as possible, and at this point it’s widely understood that he’ll be back in contention by 13th September, meaning he could play against Everton. However, with a host of big fixtures on the horizon, it may be wise for Unai Emery to manage his minutes carefully to avoid aggravating the existing issue.
Will Ross Barkley return to face his former club?
Ross Barkley was once viewed as one of English football's hottest young talents when he emerged through the Everton academy under Roberto Martinez back in 2011. These days the 31-year-old, who was signed from Luton, is viewed as more of an experienced figure in the dressing room and a utility player in the middle of the park. He’s yet to play this term due to match fitness and was also ruled out of the team’s European squad in a huge blow after playing six times in the Champions League last term.
As it stands, it’s not quite clear what’s keeping Barkley away from the action other than simply match fitness, but it seems he’s getting closer to where he needs to be and could be considered for a place on the bench against Everton at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Amadou Onana and Andres Garcia injury latest
Amadou Onana, another ex-Everton star, has been ruled out of international duty with Belgium due to a hamstring issue. News of the Belgian international’s injury follows a similar problem for fellow midfielder Boubacar Kamara, who sustained a hamstring injury during Villa’s 1-0 defeat at Brentford last week. It leaves the Villans short on options in midfield, with Onana facing a race against time to try and prove he can be matchfit for the trip to face his former club.
Elsewhere, Andres Garcia is also sidelined and is not expected to return until late September. This means that Matty Cash, as it stands, is likely to be the first choice starter, providing he avoids injury while representing Poland in upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Netherlands and Finland.
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