Aston Villa midfielder Amadou Onana has undergone surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament and is expected to spend nine months on the sidelines.
The Belgium international had the operation on his right knee in Lyon on Tuesday after suffering the injury during the World Cup.
L’Équipe reports that the procedure was completed successfully. Onana will now continue his rehabilitation with Aston Villa’s medical department.
Villa have not yet published their own update confirming the reported recovery period.
Onana injury forces Aston Villa midfield rethink
Onana suffered the ACL rupture while representing Belgium against the United States. The injury ended his World Cup and removed a key player from Unai Emery’s plans before pre-season had started.
A nine-month absence could keep the 24-year-old out until the closing stages of the 2026/27 campaign. Villa must therefore plan for most of the season without his physical presence in midfield.
The club have already added Johan Manzambi and João Gomes during a major summer rebuild. However, neither should be expected to provide a direct replacement for everything Onana offers.
ReadAstonVilla’s updated guide to every signing, departure and transfer target highlights the growing pressure on Villa’s midfield options following Onana’s injury and Youri Tielemans’ departure.
Emery needs enough depth to manage Premier League and Champions League football. Onana’s confirmed recovery schedule could now increase the urgency behind another midfield addition.
The immediate priority remains his rehabilitation. Villa will hope he can return without further complications after one of the most serious injuries of his career.
