Tammy Abraham has handed Aston Villa a fresh injury concern just one week before their Premier League opener against Brighton & Hove Albion.
The striker was forced off during Saturday’s 2-1 pre-season defeat to Borussia Monchengladbach after slipping awkwardly early in the second half.
Abraham had started through the middle for Unai Emery’s side but was unable to continue, with Brad Burrowes replacing him before the hour.
Villa will now be waiting to discover whether the problem is serious enough to threaten his involvement at the Amex Stadium next Sunday.
The timing could hardly be worse.
Tammy Abraham injury adds to Aston Villa problems
Villa were already short of attacking options before Abraham left the pitch in Germany.
Brian Madjo is expected to remain sidelined until at least September after suffering an injury following his record-breaking UEFA Super Cup appearance against Paris Saint-Germain.
talkSPORT reports that Madjo is set to miss the opening weeks of the Premier League season, including fixtures against Brighton and Arsenal.
The teenager had forced himself into Emery’s immediate first-team plans after becoming the youngest scorer in Super Cup history against PSG.
His absence left Ollie Watkins and Abraham as Villa’s obvious senior centre-forward options.
Abraham’s latest problem could therefore leave that depth looking considerably thinner.
Villa’s final friendly had already produced several selection clues, with John McGinn and Emi Buendia impressing after their half-time introductions.
The striker situation is now likely to dominate Emery’s thinking over the coming week.
Ollie Watkins could become even more important against Brighton
Watkins was not involved against Monchengladbach after being given additional recovery time following his World Cup involvement.
Emery confirmed after the Super Cup that Watkins, Emi Martinez and Ezri Konsa were due to return to the group following their extended breaks.
That makes Watkins the obvious candidate to lead Villa’s attack against Brighton.
Villa open their Premier League campaign at the Amex Stadium on Sunday, 23 August, with kick-off at 2pm BST.
Emery will hope Abraham’s withdrawal proves precautionary rather than the start of another absence.
The 28-year-old has already had his preparations disrupted this summer after undergoing shoulder surgery in June, although that issue did not stop him returning during pre-season.
ReadAstonVilla previously covered Abraham’s shoulder operation and recovery.
Villa still have a week before competitive domestic football begins.
Their attacking options suddenly make those seven days rather important.
