‘Special’ Aston Villa star must step up immediately amid new Youri Tielemans blow
Youri Tielemans has left Unai Emery with a huge headache to solve for when Aston Villa return after the international break.
The 28-year-old was injured as Villa drew 0-0 with Everton last month, an issue which has seen the midfielder miss six matches across all competitions of what has been an unbeaten run.
Emi Buendia was on the end of an elbow against Burnley, a challenge that went unpunished, and he could be yet another figure who ends up on the treatment table while his teammates are on international duty.
While Emery‘s side have finally been on the positive side of results after a dreadful start to the 2025-26 campaign, it has not been without its struggles.
There is no doubt that Tielemans‘ absence has made things more difficult, and that is only set to continue.
Youri Tielemans sidelines for another five weeks
The Belgium international has already missed the last six matches with a calf injury, meaning that he will not be facing North Macedonia or Wales over the coming days.
According to The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell (8 October), Tielemans has suffered another setback with his calf injury and will be sidelined for up to five weeks, meaning international games are not the only concern.
Once the international break is over, the Villans will face Tottenham, Man City, and Liverpool in the Premier League, as well as Go Ahead Eagles and Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa League.
Those games only take Villa into the beginning of November, but with the next international break already on the horizon following Sunday, 9 November, there should be plenty of time for rest.
Amadou Onana has returned from injury at the right time for Aston Villa
Amadou Onana returned during Villa’s 2-1 win over Burnley, and while he only played out the closing stages, it was a hugely important moment for the player dubbed “special” by Jamie Redknapp [Sky Sports].
The 24-year-old has been unavailable since late August, when he replaced against Brentford after just 64 minutes, and normally, the manager would not be looking to rush him back to the pitch.
However, with five goals to his name last season, there is no doubt that Onana would help fill an attacking role left vacant by Tielemans’ new injury setback at Villa Park.
Obviously, the Belgian is more known for his abilities in the defensive third, and that might actually work in his favour based on how difficult Villa are finding things right now.