Aston Villa’s Premier League title challenge has suffered a major setback after midfielder Youri Tielemans was ruled out for up to 10 weeks with an ankle injury.
The Belgium international sustained the injury during Villa’s 2-0 win over Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Sunday and was forced off in the 74th minute following a clash with Lewis Miley.
Tielemans’ absence compounds Villa’s growing midfield injury crisis, with both Boubacar Kamara and John McGinn already sidelined.
Kamara is not expected to return this season after suffering a serious knee injury, while McGinn is facing an absence of up to two months.
“We know about Kamara, McGinn and Tielemans,” Villa boss Unai Emery said on Wednesday.
“Kamara is a long time — I don’t think he’s going to play this season. McGinn is more or less six to eight weeks out, and Tielemans is eight to 10 weeks out.
“We need to see how we can manage central midfielders in the matches we are going to play.”
Third-placed Villa, who are chasing their first English title since 1981, sit just four points behind leaders Arsenal.
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