Aston Villa have been dealt a significant setback after French midfielder Boubacar Kamara underwent surgery on his injured left knee and will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign, medical sources have confirmed.
The news ends any realistic hope the 26-year-old will add to his five international caps or push for a place in France’s squad for the 2026 World Cup later this year.
Kamara sustained the knee injury during Aston Villa’s 2-1 FA Cup victory over Tottenham Hotspur on January 10, forcing him off the field in the early stages of the match.
Subsequent scans revealed the damage was more serious than initially feared, leading to a surgical procedure in Lyon on Thursday. Villa now face a lengthy rehabilitation period for the midfielder, who has become a pivotal presence in Unai Emery’s side since joining from Marseille in 2022.
Midfield pillar’s absence felt
Kamara’s absence will leave a significant void in Aston Villa’s engine room as they navigate a crucial phase in both domestic and European competitions.
The Frenchman of Senegalese descent has started consistently this season, contributing one goal in 18 Premier League appearances and helping Villa climb to third in the table, seven points behind leaders Arsenal.
His injury compounds Villa’s broader struggles with squad fitness, leaving Emery to alter his midfield setup and rely on other options while also managing limited transfer flexibility due to financial constraints.
The loss of Kamara disrupts not just Villa’s tactical balance but also their long-term planning, with the club having extended his contract until 2030 only last summer.
World Cup hopes dashed
The timing of the injury is an added blow for Kamara personally, as it all but extinguishes his chances of being involved in France’s World Cup campaign.
With the global tournament kicking off next June, the midfielder now faces a race against time to return to full fitness.
Villa will look to reinforce their squad in the winter window to cover his absence, but the immediate focus remains on securing Champions League qualification and navigating the season’s demanding schedule without one of their key figures.
