Democratic Republic of Congo international Aaron Wan-Bissaka is awaiting medical examinations to determine the severity of a hamstring injury sustained during Aston Villa’s 1-0 Premier League victory over Newcastle United.
The defender was forced off in the closing stages of Saturday’s match after experiencing pain, raising concerns about his availability for upcoming fixtures.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery confirmed the suspected hamstring problem after the game but said the extent of the injury and the length of the player’s absence were not yet known.
Wan-Bissaka, who started the match in an unfamiliar left-back role despite usually playing on the right, had produced a strong performance before being withdrawn.
He left the field around the 76th minute, with reports also placing his departure at approximately the 77th minute.
The injury came during a match in which Aston Villa secured all three points, winning 1-0 against Newcastle in the seventh round of the Premier League season.
Speaking after the victory, Emery said: “I think Wan-Bissaka injured his hamstring; he delivered an excellent performance.”
The manager’s comments confirmed the concern surrounding the Congolese defender, although Aston Villa are still waiting for medical test results before providing a clearer indication of how long he could be unavailable.
The potential recovery period will depend on the severity of the hamstring injury.
Mild cases can require around one to two weeks of recovery, while partial tears may keep a player out for three to six weeks. Severe tears can result in absences lasting as long as six months.
Those timeframes are general possibilities rather than a confirmed prognosis for Wan-Bissaka.
The club has not yet established which category, if any, applies to his injury, and no definitive return date has been announced.
The uncertainty means Aston Villa will have to wait for further medical information before assessing the defender’s availability for their next matches.
His absence could extend over several weeks, but the final recovery period will depend on the findings of the examinations.
Wan-Bissaka’s injury also attracted attention because of an emotional moment involving his compatriot Yoane Wissa, who was in Newcastle’s starting line-up for the match.
After the Aston Villa defender was forced to leave the pitch, Wissa went over to check on him.
The gesture drew reactions among supporters of the DR Congo national team, with the two players representing their country at international level despite playing for opposing clubs in the Premier League fixture.
The incident offered a moment of concern between the Congolese internationals during a competitive encounter.
For Wan-Bissaka, however, the immediate priority will be to establish the extent of the injury and begin the appropriate recovery process.
