Aston Villa have suffered a significant injury blow ahead of the new Premier League season, with teenage striker Brian Madjo expected to remain sidelined until at least September.
The 17-year-old has been one of Villa's breakout performers during pre-season and scored against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup on his competitive debut.
However, Madjo picked up an injury following the defeat to PSG and is now set to miss the beginning of the domestic campaign.
Madjo expected out until September
According to The Athletic, Madjo is expected to be unavailable until at least September, although the exact timeline for his recovery has not yet been established.
That rules him out of Aston Villa's Premier League opener against Brighton and is also expected to see him miss the following fixture against Arsenal.
Games against Hull City and Nottingham Forest could also come too soon, depending on how quickly the teenager recovers.
His availability for the meeting with Tottenham on September 19 could potentially be affected as well.
The timing is particularly frustrating for Unai Emery after Madjo forced himself into first-team contention with an impressive pre-season.
Record-breaking PSG goal followed by injury blow
Madjo made three appearances during Villa's preparations and carried that momentum into the UEFA Super Cup against PSG.
The teenager scored Villa's equaliser against the Champions League winners, making an immediate impact on his competitive debut.
In doing so, Madjo became the youngest player ever to score in the UEFA Super Cup.
It appeared to be the perfect platform from which to begin his first Premier League campaign, but the subsequent injury has temporarily halted that momentum.
Madjo will now have to focus on his recovery before getting the opportunity to establish himself further in Emery's senior squad.
Villa attacking options reduced
Madjo's absence also leaves Emery with fewer options at centre-forward.
Ollie Watkins is now the clear leading option, while Tammy Abraham provides Villa's other senior alternative through the middle.
Given Madjo's performances over the summer, the youngster could have been given opportunities during the opening weeks of the season.
Villa will now have to begin their campaign without him.
The injury situation extends beyond their attack, too.
Joao Gomes also ruled out
New signing Joao Gomes also suffered an injury following the PSG defeat and is expected to spend between two and four weeks on the sidelines.
That creates another problem for Emery in midfield, particularly with Amadou Onana already facing a lengthy absence after suffering an ACL injury while representing Belgium at the World Cup.
Youri Tielemans' summer departure to Manchester United has further reduced Villa's midfield options.
With both Madjo and Gomes now unavailable, Villa will begin the season with two more names added to Emery's injury list.
Key Points
- Brian Madjo is expected to be sidelined until at least September.
- The 17-year-old will miss Aston Villa's Premier League opener against Brighton.
- He is also expected to miss the following match against Arsenal.
- Madjo scored against PSG on his competitive Villa debut in the UEFA Super Cup.
- He became the youngest goalscorer in UEFA Super Cup history.
- Joao Gomes is also injured and could miss two to four weeks.
- Villa are already without Amadou Onana following an ACL injury.
What's Next?
Madjo will now begin his recovery with Villa hoping to have the teenager available during September.
The exact return date remains unclear, meaning his involvement against Nottingham Forest and Tottenham will depend on how his rehabilitation progresses.
For Emery, the immediate challenge is navigating the opening weeks without one of his breakout performers of the summer, while Joao Gomes' injury adds another selection problem ahead of the new Premier League campaign.
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