Aston Villa duo Gabriel Agbonlahor and Richard Dunne have been ruled out of the start of the season through injury.
Agbonlahor picked up a medial ligament injury on the club's pre-season tour of America, and will miss four to five weeks, while Dunne will be out for even longer after picking up a groin injury at Euro 2012, which Villa claim was not dealt with properly.
"Gabby Agbonlahor will be sidelined for a further four-five weeks with the injury to his left knee, sustained against Chicago Fire," read a statement on the club's official website.
"This is after the scan confirmed medial ligament damage.
"Meanwhile, Richard Dunne will also be out of action for six-eight weeks, having undergone a procedure on a groin injury which he sustained and was not dealt with during the European Championship."
Paul Lambert will take charge of his first competitive fixture as manager of Villa when they face West Ham at Upton Park on August 18.
Barney Corkhill
