Amadou Onana surgery confirmed as Aston Villa receive nine-month injury timeline

Aston Villa midfielder Amadou Onana has reportedly undergone successful surgery after suffering a serious knee injury while representing Belgium at the FIFA World Cup, with the recovery timeline now becoming clearer.

According to Agence France-Presse, via L'Equipe, the 24-year-old underwent an operation in Lyon on Tuesday following the anterior cruciate ligament injury that prematurely ended his tournament. The latest update is expected to keep the Villa midfielder out of action for around nine months.

Onana sustained the injury during Belgium's last-16 victory over the United States after being forced off midway through the first half.

The midfielder was later seen leaving the pitch on crutches and wearing a brace on his right knee, immediately raising concerns over the severity of the injury.

Those fears were confirmed earlier this month when Belgium team doctor Brahim Hacene announced that Onana had suffered a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament, ruling him out for an extended period.

The latest reports state that Onana underwent surgery at the Jean-Mermoz Private Hospital in Lyon.

The procedure was carried out by renowned orthopaedic surgeon Dr Bertrand Sonnery-Cottet, who has previously treated a number of elite footballers recovering from ACL injuries.

The operation marks the first major step in Onana's rehabilitation, with the focus now shifting towards a lengthy recovery programme before he can return to competitive football.

Onana's absence represents a significant setback for Aston Villa ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

The Belgium international has become an important figure in Villa's midfield thanks to his physical presence, ball-winning ability and composure in possession. Losing him for much of the season leaves the club with an important gap to fill as preparations continue for domestic and European competition.

While ACL recoveries can vary between players, the reported nine-month timeframe means Villa are unlikely to see the midfielder return before the closing stages of the campaign.

Onana will now begin the rehabilitation phase of his recovery under medical supervision, with Aston Villa expected to monitor his progress throughout the season. Although the projected recovery period is around nine months, the club is unlikely to rush his return, prioritising a full recovery before the midfielder resumes first-team action.