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EPL Premier League Action The 28-year-old sustained the injury during the scoreless draw against Everton on September 13. Carl Recine/Getty Images Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans is set to miss up to a further five weeks with a calf injury. The 28-year-old sustained the injury during the scoreless draw against Everton on September 13 and has not featured in any of Villa’s six matches since. Villa have had injury issues in midfield this season with Amadou Onana and Boubacar Kamara both missing spells with hamstring injuries. Advertisement Tielemans had started in each of Villa’s four opening games this season and made 53 appearances across all competitions last terms. He has featured 103 times for the club since joining on a free transfer from Leicester City in June 2023, scoring eight goals and providing 18 assists. Villa, who have run each of their past four matches across all competitions, return to action with a Premier League visit to Tottenham Hotspur on October 19. Tielemans’ setback is a blow for Villa and Emery. Considering his importance last term, winning the club’s player of the season and transforming into an integral cog in the side’s build up strategies, his absence means Villa will continue to lean upon alternatives. Lamare Bogarde has been in exceptional form alongside John Mc Ginn and while Amadou Onana has returned from injury, very few can replicate Tielemans distinct skillset. He is Villa’s most incisive passer, regulating the tempo and is press resistant. His good form last season coincided with a long injury-free run, so a stuttering start to this campaign is unfortunate. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle Jacob is a football reporter covering Aston Villa for The Athletic. Previously, he followed Southampton FC for The Athletic after spending three years writing about south coast football, working as a sports journalist for Reach PLC. In 2021, he was awarded the Football Writers' Association Student Football Writer of the Year. Follow Jacob on Twitter @J_Tanswell