Paul Lambert: 'Yacouba Sylla to miss Aston Villa opener'

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert is hopeful that midfielder Yacouba Sylla will only be absent from one match through injury.

The 22-year-old is struggling with an ankle injury, and Lambert has admitted that it is a blow to lose the midfielder for their opening game with Arsenal.

The 44-year-old told the Birmingham Mail: "He's twisted his ankle and it's a blow because he was a big player for us last year.

"It's not too bad, he'll probably miss one. He may train next week, later in the week but we will see how he is."

Sylla made 10 appearances for Villa in the Premier League last season.