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Aston Villa forced into midfield rethink after Kamara setback

Aston Villa’s season has reached a defining juncture, and the loss of Boubacar Kamara threatens to tilt the balance. As reported by The Telegraph, the club are now weighing late-window solutions, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek emerging as a serious option as Unai Emery reassesses his midfield.

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Kamara’s importance to Villa cannot be overstated. His injury, sustained in the FA Cup tie at Tottenham Hotspur on January 10, has proven far more serious than first feared. Further scans suggest he could miss the remainder of the campaign, ruling him out of the final 16 Premier League matches. Villa have lost only twice in games he has started this season, a statistic that underlines the scale of the problem.

Kamara absence reshapes Villa priorities

Kamara ranks first at the club for a range of defensive metrics, and his absence strips Villa of control, protection, and rhythm in midfield. Emery admitted last weekend that the issue could be serious, and those fears have now been confirmed. It is also a cruel echo of past misfortune, with this his second major injury since joining from Marseille on a free transfer, having missed eight months in 2024 with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

Replacing that influence mid-season is fraught with risk, yet inaction carries its own dangers for a side competing on three fronts.

Loftus-Cheek profile under consideration

One solution under discussion is Ruben Loftus-Cheek, currently at AC Milan after leaving Chelsea in 2023. The 29-year-old has made 23 appearances in all competitions this season and offers physicality and experience, traits Emery values during congested periods.

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Villa’s interest is shaped by financial reality. Restrictions forced the £25m sale of Donyell Malen to Roma last week, limiting flexibility. A familiar alternative is Douglas Luiz, now on loan at Nottingham Forest from Juventus, having been sold in summer 2024 to avoid a points deduction. His limited role under Sean Dyche keeps him in the conversation.

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Balancing ambition and constraint

Villa are also pursuing a separate deal to re-sign Tammy Abraham from Besiktas, but midfield remains the immediate concern. Emery’s ultimate objective is clear, qualification for next season’s Champions League after last year’s quarter-final run. How Villa respond to Kamara’s injury may determine whether that ambition remains realistic.

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Losing Kamara is a hammer blow because he has quietly been the glue holding everything together. Villa supporters know the numbers, two defeats when he starts says plenty, but it is the control and calm he brings that will be hardest to replace.

There is cautious acceptance around Loftus-Cheek. He may not replicate Kamara’s defensive intelligence, but fans recognise the need for experience and physical presence during a demanding run-in. Many would see this as a pragmatic move rather than an inspiring one, but this stage of the season is about survival of objectives, not romance.

The mention of Douglas Luiz stirs emotion. His sale still rankles, yet his return would be welcomed if it restores balance. Above all, fans want clarity and decisiveness. With three competitions in play and Champions League qualification on the line, standing still is not an option. The hope is that Emery and the club act swiftly, even within constraints, because letting this season drift would feel like a far greater loss than any individual signing.