Diego Carlos’ ruptured achilles puts Aston Villa in market for centre-back

Aston Villa have been dealt a serious blow after an MRI scan revealed Diego Carlos ruptured his achilles tendon in their victory over Everton on Saturday. The Brazilian defender, a £26m summer signing from Sevilla, left Villa Park on crutches and in a protective boot and is unlikely to play again this year. The centre-back will undergo surgery.

Carlos’s injury is expected to lead Villa to recruit another defender before the close of the transfer window, with Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa and Calum Chambers the only fit centre-backs before Villa’s trip to Selhurst Park on Saturday. Kortney Hause has recently returned from a long-term knee injury. Steven Gerrard said the injury to Carlos tarnished Villa’s first win of the season.

Mings returned to the starting lineup against Everton to partner the 29-year-old Carlos in the centre of defence. Carlos has made a big impression in a short space of time at Villa and was named vice-captain along with Emi Martínez after Gerrard elected to shake-up his leadership group in the off-season Mings was replaced by John McGinn as captain.

Carlos, Villa’s most expensive signing this window, was considered a major coup and a key pillar as they strengthened the spine of the team. Villa’s priority was thought to be an attacking midfielder but they may now shift their focus.

The 17-year-old Josh Feeney is another option but the Villa manager hinted on Saturday at requiring reinforcements in the event of the worst-case scenario unfolding for Carlos. “You can never say never but we have to wait and see,” Gerrard said, when asked if Villa would further strengthen.

“We also have to wait and see what the outcome is of Diego Carlos’s injury. I’m extremely worried about that situation.”