Aston Villa have confirmed that centre-back Diego Carlos has ruptured his Achilles tendon and will soon undergo surgery to help repair the issue.
The defender, who joined from Sevilla for ÂŁ26m this summer, went down in the dying embers of his Villa Park debut against Everton at the weekend, and he was later seen leaving the stadium on crutches with his ankle in a protective boot.
Manager Steven Gerrard admitted he was âextremely worriedâ by Carlosâ injury immediately after the game, and those fears have been compounded by Villaâs confirmation that the Brazilian has injured his Achilles.
âThe player sustained the injury during Saturdayâs 2-1 victory over Everton. The player will require surgery and will then begin his rehabilitation programme,â a statement read.
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With Carlos set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Villa again find themselves short on numbers in defence.
Former captain Tyrone Mings was recalled to the squad for the Everton game, with Ezri Konsa and Calum Chambers on the bench and 27-year-old Kortney Hause, who has not made Gerrardâs matchday squad for the last 14 Premier League games, the only other centre-back on the books.