Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans ruled out for five more weeks following recovery snag | OneFootball

Aston Villa have suffered a fresh injury blow with midfielder Youri Tielemans ruled out for up to five more weeks following a setback in his recovery from a calf problem.

The Belgian international has not played since being forced off during Villa’s goalless draw with Everton on 13 September, and his rehabilitation has taken longer than initially expected.

Early assessments suggested a short-term absence, but further scans revealed that the issue was more severe than first thought.

Tielemans’ continued absence is a significant concern for manager Unai Emery, whose midfield has already been hit hard by injuries in the opening months of the campaign. Boubacar Kamara recently returned from a hamstring problem, while Amadou Onana only made his comeback last weekend after missing several weeks.

The 28-year-old had been ever-present in Villa’s starting lineup before the injury, starting all four of their opening Premier League games and continuing the fine form that saw him win both the club’s players’ and supporters’ player of the year awards last season.

He was a key figure in Villa’s midfield, providing balance and control alongside John McGinn and Kamara, and his absence has forced Emery to turn to other options such as Lamare Bogarde and Ross Barkley.

Tielemans’ absence will likely see him miss Villa’s return to action against Tottenham Hotspur on 19 October, as well as the upcoming clashes with Manchester City and Liverpool – a testing run that could have a major influence on the club’s momentum.

Villa have won their last four matches in all competitions, and maintaining that form without their midfield orchestrator will be a challenge.

Since joining Aston Villa from Leicester City on a free transfer in 2023, Tielemans has made over 100 appearances for the club, scoring eight goals and providing 18 assists. His intelligence, passing range, and composure under pressure have made him one of the most reliable midfielders in Emery’s system.

The injury also rules Tielemans out of Belgium’s next round of World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Kazakhstan, with national coach Rudi Garcia expected to name a replacement in the coming days.

Villa’s medical team are monitoring his progress closely, and while his recovery timeline remains cautious, there is optimism that he will return before the end of November if his rehabilitation goes to plan.