Aston Villa have confirmed that £26million summer signing Diego Carlos suffered a ruptured Achilles' tendon in their win over Everton and will now require surgery.
The 29-year-old has started both Premier League games of the new campaign under Steven Gerrard, but was forced off through injury late on during Saturday's home win over Everton.
A statement from Villa on the club's website has since confirmed the severity of the Brazilian's injury, with the defender now set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
'Aston Villa can confirm Diego Carlos has ruptured his Achilles' tendon,' it read.
'The player sustained the injury during Saturday's 2-1 victory over Everton. The player will require surgery and will then begin his rehabilitation programme.'
Following the game Gerrard stated that the club would 'wait and see the outcome of his injury', before determining whether they would be looking to make any further signings this summer.
Carlos' absence may provide an opportunity for England international Tyrone Mings to reassert himself within the Villa squad.
The defender was left on the bench as Villa were defeated by Bournemouth in the opening Premier League fixture, but returned to the starting eleven on Saturday, putting in an exceptional performance alongside Carlos in the heart of defence.
Mings was stripped of the Villa captaincy over the summer, with Gerrard handing the armband to Scottish midfielder John McGinn and naming Carlos, and Emiliano Martinez as his deputies.
