BIRMINGHAM – Aston Villa midfielder Marvelous Nakamba has been ruled out for between three to four months as he recovers from successful knee surgery.
The Zimbabwe international midfielder has been in excellent form for Aston Villa over the past month, voted the club’s Player of the Month for November.
He was forced off just before the hour mark in last weekend’s defeat at Liverpool and duly missed Tuesday’s 2-0 victory at Norwich City.
And head coach Steven Gerrard, speaking in Friday’s press conference to preview this weekend’s Premier League clash against Burnley, revealed Nakamba has undergone an operation.
“He’s had successful surgery,” said Gerrard.
“The surgeon is really happy with his operation and how it’s gone and now he’ll start his recovery process and recovery plan.
“He’s going to be missing for somewhere in the region of 12 weeks if it is a fantastic rehab or it could be up to 16 weeks.
“It will be somewhere in the middle of 12-16 weeks.”
Nakamba’s spell on the sidelines comes as Villa enter the hectic festive fixture schedule.
And Gerrard will be without a number of players for Saturday’s clash against the Clarets at Villa Park.
“We have certain individuals missing for tomorrow’s game,” he said.
“Ashley Young is 50/50. Keinan Davis, Morgan Sanson and Anwar El Ghazi are out, Leon Bailey, Bertrand Traore and Marvelous Nakamba are still out.
“You can work out who is out with what.” – Aston Villa