Jadon Sancho will be out of action due to a shoulder injury he picked up during his loan at Aston Villa.
The injury happened in a closed-door friendly against Elche in late March.
The winger fell awkwardly and had to leave the game before half-time.
Medical scans showed it was a joint issue, not a dislocation.
As reported by The Athletic, Sancho is likely to miss at least two to three weeks, with daily assessments of his recovery.
This injury comes at a vital time in the season.
Sancho will miss both matches in Aston Villa’s UEFA Europa League quarter-final, as well as league games against Nottingham Forest and Sunderland.
If his recovery takes longer, he might also miss games against Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur, and potentially the semi-finals if Villa advances.
Unai Emery’s team is still in the running for Champions League qualification.
Sancho, on loan from Manchester United, has played 31 matches this season.
He has scored once and provided three assists since joining Villa last summer.
Though his numbers are limited, his movement and playmaking skills have brought balance to Villa’s offense.
His absence takes away a strategic option for the team.
There are broader implications too.
Sancho is set to become a free agent this summer.
Borussia Dortmund has already mentioned possible conditions for a return, and Sancho is reportedly willing to lower his wage expectations.
A strong finish to the season could have boosted his market value.
Now, clubs might adopt a more cautious approach regarding him.
His fitness will be essential for any future transfer.
For Aston Villa, the main focus is on securing results.
For Sancho, recovering is the top priority ahead of a crucial summer.
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