Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has confirmed a fresh injury concern for captain John McGinn, casting a shadow over the club's upcoming fixtures following a disappointing defeat at Goodison Park.
Midfield Captain Forced Off Early
Villa's Premier League clash with Everton on Saturday, 18th January 2026, was marred by an early setback for the visitors. John McGinn was substituted in the 18th minute after appearing to sustain a problem with his knee. The Scottish international signalled for medical attention on the pitch and was replaced by Evann Guessand, who had recently returned from international duty at AFCON.
Addressing the media post-match, Emery provided a blunt assessment of the situation. "Of course when some players are getting injured, it is not good," the Villa boss stated. "It is football and we have to accept it. It is another opportunity for other players to play." When pressed for specifics on the nature of McGinn's issue, Emery simply confirmed: "I don't know, it's his knee."
Growing Midfield Crisis for Villa
The potential loss of McGinn represents a significant blow to Villa's engine room, which is already severely depleted. Boubacar Kamara is also currently out with a knee problem, while fellow midfielders Amadou Onana and Ross Barkley remain unavailable.
Emery offered a minor update on Kamara's condition, indicating that more information would be forthcoming. "I think this week we will know something more about Kamara," he said. "At the moment Kamara is out." There was a sliver of positive news regarding Onana, who could return to training as early as next week. However, Barkley is not expected back until the start of February.
Packed Schedule Looms for Depleted Squad
The timing of these injuries is far from ideal, with Villa facing a crucial period across two competitions. The squad must regroup quickly for a Europa League trip to face Fenerbahce on Thursday night, followed by a Premier League away fixture against Newcastle United next weekend.
The demanding schedule continues with the conclusion of their Europa League group stage at home to RB Salzburg the following Thursday, before hosting Brentford in the league on Sunday, 1st February. Emery will be forced to rely on his squad depth as he navigates this challenging run without several key midfield figures.
