Aston Villa midfielder Boubacar Kamara is expected to miss four crucial games due to injury, including the Premier League matches against Liverpool, Chelsea, and Crystal Palace. The Frenchman, who has been used as a center-half by Unai Emery in recent games due to a lack of defenders, is also a serious doubt for the Emirates FA Cup fifth round matchup against Cardiff City.
In the 16th minute of Saturday's 1-1 home tie with Ipswich Town, Kamara hobbled off, and Tyrone Mings, who was just getting back from an injury of his own, took his place. Kamara has reportedly been evaluated for a muscular problem and will be sidelined for at least two weeks as he heals, according to The Athletic.
"The individuals in control should remember that the players are human, even if I know they are not bothered by our criticisms. They require a sensible schedule and some rest. Four matches in ten days are too much for anyone to handle safely and with vigor.
The anticipated comeback date is Saturday, March 1st, right after the FA Cup match against Cardiff, according to that time period. The UEFA Champions League last 16 matches are scheduled to be played in the midweeks for each side of Villa's Premier League away trip to Brentford the following weekend.
Given how absurdly Villa's next fixture calendar has been set up, Kamara's injury comes at a far from ideal moment. Villa will only play one Premier League game this month, but four in only ten days to round out February, as the match against Liverpool was moved from March 15 to this Wednesday, February 19.
In his pre-Ipswich program notes, Emery addressed the topic: "We believed we had earned the right to have two weeks off from midweek games (by missing the Champions League play-off round), but the authorities abruptly moved the Liverpool match forward. This is a game that would be ideal for later in the season.
Although we are conscious that it is difficult to accommodate the matches into the incredibly packed international schedule, we are certainly not the only ones who feel this unfair schedule. However, common sense suggests that it can be much more reasonable and balanced.
I'm aware that the people in control don't care about our grievances, but they should remember that the gamers are individuals. They require a sensible schedule and some rest. Four matches in ten days are too much for anyone to handle safely and with vigor.
Over the next two weeks, Mings is most likely to replace Kamara, but given his own injury issues, it will be extremely tough for the former England international to maintain his sharpness. With Axel Disasi completing the partnership, Ezri Konsa may also take over as a left-sided center-back, but the Chelsea loanee is not permitted to play against his parent club this weekend.
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