Aston Villa’s hopes of retaining their Premier League status have been hit hard with the news that left-back Jordan Amavi will miss the rest of the season.
As confirmed by Sky Sports, the defender, who has made an encouraging start to live in English football, has been ruled out for the rest of the campaign after suffering an injury during international duty.
The full-back picked up the cruciate knee ligament injury while on duty for France’s U-21 side in their international victory over Northern Ireland on Thursday.
A club statement, as per Eurosport, confirmed that the player will miss the rest of the campaign.
“Aston Villa can confirm defender Jordan Amavi has been ruled out for the rest of the 2015-16 Premier League season with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee,” the announcement read.
The injury also ends any faint hopes the player will have had of breaking into France’s senior squad ahead of next summer’s European Championships tournament on home soil.
BREAKING: Aston Villa left-back Jordan Amavi ruled out for rest of season. #SSNHQ pic.twitter.com/i9aPauvpoC
— Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ) November 15, 2015
The Franco-Togolese defender has impressed in England since swapping OGC Nice for Villa Park during the summer.
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He has been a ray of light midst the club’s troubles, contributing two assists in 10 EPL outings to date.
In his absence, Kieran Richardson will likely deputise, a prospect which may strike further fear into the hearts of Villa supporters.