'Maybe for a long time' - Unai Emery reveals Aston Villa's Boubacar Kamara fear
Villa midfielder Boubacar Kamara is undergoing further tests amid fears his knee injury may be worse than first thought.
The 26-year-old was initially expected to miss between just two to three weeks with the injury sustained in last weekend’s FA Cup win at Tottenham.
But speaking on Friday, boss Unai Emery said Kamara could be out “for a long time” with the player due to visit specialists before a final prognosis is determined.
Emery, whose team host Everton in the Premier League on Sunday, said: “It’s his knee. We are checking him and he is visiting some doctors and we are going to know about him in a few days.
“Of course he is not available and maybe for a long time. Hopefully not so long a time but we are checking him.”
Kamara has been something of an unsung hero during Villa’s rise under Emery.
The France international, who joined as a free agent after leaving Marseille in 2022, signed a new five-year contract last summer.
He previously suffered a serious knee injury which kept him out for eight months in 2024.
In more positive news, Emery is hopeful Amadou Onana could be back in around a week following the injury he sustained in last month’s defeat at Arsenal.
Ross Barkley is also close to a return, while Emi Martinez will be assessed in training on Saturday to see whether he is ready to face the Toffees.
Martinez missed the win at Tottenham after going off at half-time in the 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace.
“Emiliano Martínez is progressing well but tomorrow we’ll assess him if he’ll be available for Sunday or not,” said Emery.
New signing Alysson remains out with a minor injury sustained in training.
