Aston Villa's FA Cup third-round clash with Tottenham Hotspur was marred by an early injury setback for manager Unai Emery, as key midfielder Boubacar Kamara was forced off the pitch within the opening minutes.
Early Challenge Ends Kamara's Night
The incident occurred shortly after kick-off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 10 January 2026. Kamara attempted to skip past Tottenham midfielder Joao Palhinha, but the Portuguese player's trailing leg caught the Villa man around the knee area.
Kamara initially tried to play on but was quickly in visible distress. He signalled to teammate Ezri Konsa to put the ball out of play so he could receive immediate medical attention on the pitch.
Assessment and Immediate Consequences
After several minutes of treatment on the grass, the French midfielder managed to get to his feet. However, he could only hobble gingerly from the field and down the tunnel, unable to continue.
Youri Tielemans was introduced as his replacement. The severity of the injury is not yet known, and Unai Emery confirmed in his post-match press conference that Kamara would require a scan to determine the full diagnosis.
Villa's Mounting Injury Concerns
Kamara's injury compounds existing problems for Villa. Goalkeeper Emi Martínez missed the match with a calf issue, while midfielders Amadou Onana and Ross Barkley are also sidelined, though both are expected to return within the next two to three weeks.
There was a rare positive note on the injury front, with defender Tyrone Mings returning to the squad for the first time in two months following a hamstring injury.
The loss of Kamara, a pivotal figure in Emery's midfield, represents a significant blow as Villa compete on multiple fronts. His absence in upcoming Premier League and potential cup fixtures will test the squad's depth, potentially opening a door for other players like Will Bogarde to step up.
