Aston Villa could return to the market to find a replacement for Diego Carlos after the centre-back ruptured his Achilles tendon on Saturday, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Steven Gerrard picked up his first win of the season against Everton at Villa Park but it came at a cost as his summer signing was withdrawn in injury time.

What is the latest on Diego Carlos?

Carlos made the move to Villa from Sevilla during the summer transfer window for £26 million on a four-year deal.

However, he is now set for six months on the sidelines and is unlikely to take to the field again until 2023. A report from the Guardian details how the Brazilian left Villa Park on crutches on Saturday, leaving Tyrone Mings, Calum Chambers and Ezri Konsa as the club’s only fit options at the back.

Villa confirmed the news in a statement on Monday morning, writing: “Aston Villa can confirm Diego Carlos has ruptured his Achilles’ tendon. 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.”

Kortney Hause has only recently returned from a knee injury of his own and is unlikely to play until October.

What has Jones said on the situation?

Jones says that the news will come as a massive blow to Gerrard and really turns his summer preparations on their head.

The transfer insider says it would be no shock to see Villa now return to the market ahead of the September 1 deadline.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “That is a massive blow. It rocks the boat, basically, in terms of where Gerrard was with his season planning. He had such high hopes for that signing. Disappointing for the player as well, but it wouldn't surprise me at all now if Villa have to dip back into the market.”

Where does this leave Villa?

The news will likely all but confirm Mings remains an Aston Villa player beyond the deadline. After he was stripped of the captaincy, there were rumblings the 29-year-old could depart.

Jones himself even told GIVEMESPORT that West Ham will have looked at the defender as they experience a centre-back crisis of their own.

But Mings has suddenly become a pivotal figure for Gerrard once again. It may also mean current transfer plans are put on hold too as they alter their priorities in the market.