Aston Villa's Premier League clash at Arsenal on Monday evening was marred by a fresh injury setback, as key midfielder Amadou Onana was forced off at the interval.
Onana's First-Half Struggle
The Belgian international required treatment from the Villa medical staff during the first half at the Emirates Stadium. The incident occurred in the 27th minute, with Onana seen sitting on the pitch.
A member of the treatment team was observed stretching the player's right leg. Despite initially continuing after receiving attention, Onana was unable to see out the match.
Half-Time Substitution and Immediate Impact
Manager Unai Emery made the decision to withdraw Onana at half-time, with captain John McGinn entering the fray in his place. The specific nature and severity of the injury are not yet known, with Emery set to provide a crucial update in his post-match press conference.
This development compounds a difficult situation for Villa, who travelled to North London already significantly depleted. The squad was without Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara due to suspension, while Pau Torres, Tyrone Mings, and Ross Barkley were sidelined through injury. Forward Evann Guessand is also away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Busy Fixture List Ahead
The potential loss of Onana comes at a challenging period in Villa's schedule. The team faces a quick turnaround with a Premier League home match against Nottingham Forest this Saturday, 3rd January.
This is followed by a trip to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Wednesday, 7th January. Their FA Cup campaign then begins with a third-round tie against Tottenham Hotspur next weekend, making squad depth a pressing concern for Emery.
