'Significant' - Newcastle United, Man United & West Ham's European rivals rocked by major injury blow

Aston Villa will be without Boubacar Kamara for the rest of the season after confirming the midfielder suffered a "significant knee ligament injury" during Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Manchester United

The Frenchman was withdrawn in the 65th minute at Villa Park and a scan the next morning confirmed Villa's worse fears. The 24-year-old won't play again this campaign and is expected to miss this summer's European Championships.

A Villa statement read: "Aston Villa can confirm Boubacar Kamara has suffered a significant knee ligament injury. The midfielder sustained the damage during yesterday’s fixture with Manchester United and has subsequently undergone a scan this morning. Kamara’s condition will be reviewed ahead of a further consultation with a knee specialist."

Kamara's injury is viewed as a huge blow for for Villa, especially as Unai Emery is lacking depth in the defensive midfield position. Douglas Luiz plays a different role to Kamara, while John McGinn and Youri Tielemans are better suited to playing either wide or further forward. McGinn is the likeliest to drop into a double pivot alongside Luiz but that will have a detrimental impact elsewhere in the team as the skipper operates best in a creative role.

It is the third serious knee injury Villa have witnessed this season after Emi Buendia and Tyrone Mings.

Emery's side have won just one of their last four Premier League games, which has provided hope to both Manchester United and Newcastle United of catching them in fifth. Man United are five points behind Villa after their weekend win while Newcastle, who won 3-1 at Villa Park last month, trail by 10 points.

West Ham United are level on points with Newcastle (36) but their 6-0 home defeat to Arsenal on Sunday is threatening to derail their campaign. David Moyes' men are currently on a seven-game winless streak.

Below the Hammers in the table are Brighton and Hove Albion, Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers who, as it stands, are in with a shout of European qualification with 14 games remaining.