Aston Villa centre-back Axel Tuanzebe is set to spend nearly three months on the sidelines with a metatarsal injury, report the Birmingham Mail

The Manchester United loanee picked up the injury during preparation for the Championship clash with Leeds United at Villa Park before Christmas, prompting Dean Smith to recall Tommy Elphick from his loan spell at Hull City.

“Axel has had the operation so he will be out for the next eight to ten weeks, I would have thought,” Smith said after the New Years Day draw with Queens Park Rangers.

The 21-year-old has been a key member of the Villa squad since Smith took over from Steve Bruce as manager of the club, forming a decent partnership with James Chester.

That draw with QPR left the Villans in tenth place, five points behind Derby County who currently occupy the final play-off spot.

Smith's side have won just one of their last six matches but will be hoping to gain a bit of momentum when they welcome Swansea City in the FA Cup this Saturday.

The verdict

This is a massive blow for Villa and just gives the club more work to do in the winter transfer window.

A new centre-back will have most-likely already been high on their agenda but they will now need to consider bringing in another one to ease the impact of Tuanzebe's injury.