Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans is expected to miss the remainder of the season after sustaining a muscle injury.
The Belgian has featured in every Premier League game this term but is now unlikely to play against Bournemouth, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.
It is a huge setback for Unai Emery as his side pushes to secure a Champions League place.
Tielemans has been one of Villa’s standout performers this season, starting 52 of their 54 games in all competitions and contributing five goals and 10 assists.
He became the first Villa player in nearly three decades to start more than 50 games in a single campaign, matching a feat last achieved by Alan Wright and Mark Bosnich in 1995-96.
His influence has extended far beyond statistics. No player in Emery’s squad has made more passes, progressive passes or tackles.
The 28-year-old has alternated between deeper midfield roles and more advanced positions, showcasing the intelligence and technical quality that allows Villa to build through the thirds.
He has also silenced early doubts after a slow start to his Villa career, having arrived on a free transfer from Leicester City with concerns over his fitness and mobility.
He has looked sharper this term – more agile and increasingly dominant in central areas, often outplaying opposition midfields with a mix of speed, strength and vision.
Tielemans scored the decisive goal in Villa’s 1-0 win over Fulham last week – a result that kept their Champions League hopes alive.
After that match, John McGinn described him as ‘our best player this season, by a mile’.
Villa are already without Marcus Rashford, who is on loan from Manchester United but sidelined with a hamstring issue.
In Tielemans’ absence, Emery may now turn to club-record signing Amadou Onana to partner Boubacar Kamara in midfield.
Villa sit three points behind Chelsea in the race for a top-five finish and host Bournemouth this weekend.
