Aston Villa’s Midfield Situation and the Race Against Time
Aston Villa’s season is drifting towards its most decisive stretch, and the big doubt is clear – the state of the midfield. Speaking last week, Unai Emery laid out the situation plainly, and the implications stretched far beyond a simple injury update.
“We know about Kamara, McGinn and Tielemans,” he said.
“Kamara is a long time, I think he’s not going to play this season. McGinn, more or less, is 6–8 weeks out, and Tielemans is 8–10 weeks out.
“After those updates of those players, we need to see how we can manage centre midfielders in the matches we are going to play.”
This was not rotation talk. It is both survival and adaptation planning.
Kamara: The Loss That Redefines the Season
The confirmation that Boubacar Kamara is unlikely to feature again this season removes Villa’s defensive keystone in midfield. Kamara is not just a ball-winner. He is the structural base that allows Villa to press higher, defend transitions, and play with control rather than caution.
His absence is permanent for the run-in. Emery has already moved on mentally, and the rest of the squad has to do the same.
McGinn and Tielemans vs the Clock
The more delicate calculations revolve around John McGinn and Youri Tielemans.
McGinn’s 6–8 week timeframe places his likely return window in late March. That matters.
- FA Cup Fifth Round: Saturday 7 March 2026 – Almost certainly comes too early. Even an accelerated recovery would make this a high-risk gamble.
- Europa League Last 16: 11/12 and 18/19 March 2026 – The first leg looks unrealistic. The second leg is marginal but possible. If McGinn is involved here, it will be potentially off the bench, not as a starter.
- FA Cup Quarter Final: Saturday 4 April 2026 – This is the realistic target. If Villa reach this stage, McGinn should be close to full match fitness.
Tielemans’ 8–10 week absence pushes everything back further.
- Europa League Last 16 – Almost certainly out of reach for both legs.
- Europa League Quarter Finals: 8/9 and 15/16 April 2026 – This is where he’s most likely to return. Tielemans could return for the first leg, but more plausibly the second. His availability could swing a European quarter-final.
- FA Cup Quarter Final – Very doubtful. If he features, it would again be limited minutes.
In short, Villa are likely to navigate the FA Cup fifth round and Europa League last 16 without either lynchpin midfielder fully available.
A lot obviously depends on the respective tournament’s draws, but with the weeks available in the build-up, hopefully Emery can fine tune his replacement midfield.
Why Onana Cannot Break Down
This places enormous weight on Amadou Onana. There is no exaggeration here. If Onana goes down, Villa’s midfield becomes potentially limited.
Onana now carries three roles. Defensive screen. Physical presence. Structural stability. Without Kamara, and with McGinn and Tielemans sidelined, Onana is the one midfielder Emery cannot afford to lose. Considering his injury record at Villa, some good luck is certainly needed here.
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Barkley’s Return and a Familiar Face
There is at least some relief. Ross Barkley is back in training and edging towards full availability. Barkley offers something different. He will not replace Kamara’s defensive discipline, but he can help Villa control possession, slow games down, and carry the ball through midfield when legs are heavy. Barkley has been something of a bit part player since his return to the club, but this is a real chance for the player to make his mark and show his true value.
More intriguing still is the surprise January return of Douglas Luiz. Familiarity matters at this stage of a season. Luiz understands Emery’s demands, the tempo Villa need, and the pressure points of European knockout football. He does not need bedding in, and that alone is valuable. If Luiz is fully fit, then he could be pivotal in forming a partnership with Onana to get Villa through to April.
Managing, Not Fixing
Emery’s phrasing was deliberate. “Manage centre midfielders.” This is not about finding perfect replacements. It is about navigating dates, minutes, and momentum.
Villa’s season will not be defined by who is missing. It will be defined by how effectively they bridge this gap until bodies return. Get through March intact, and April offers options. Mismanage it, and the calendar becomes an enemy rather than an opportunity.
The margins are tight now. And the midfield, more than any other area, will decide how far this season can go.
Key Dates
Europa League
Last 16 1st Leg – 11/12 March 2026
Last 16 2nd Leg – 18/19 March 2026
Quarter-final 1st Leg – 8/9 April 2026
Quarter-final 2nd Leg – 15/16 April 2026
FA Cup
Fifth Round: Saturday 7 March 2026
Quarter Final: Saturday 4 April 2026
UTV
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