Aston Villa play Liverpool, Chelsea and Crystal Palace in a week-and-a-half.

Chelsea and Crystal Palace are set to face an Aston Villa side without the services of midfielder Boubacar Kamara before the end of the month as Unai Emery is once again left frustrated with hie side's busy fixture calendar.

Kamara, who has started the last 13 Premier League fixtures for Villa, hobbled off after 16 minutes against Ipswich Town on Saturday. The 25-year-old has been pivotal for the Villains thanks to his ability to play both in defensive midfield and as a centre back.

Emery has now confirmed that Kamara will be sidelined for at least a fortnight, ruling him out of four important matches. Aston Villa play Liverpool, Chelsea and Crystal Palace in the Premier League, as well as Cardiff City in the FA Cup over that period.

Unai Emery fumes over fixture calendar

Tyrone Mings came off the bench to replace Kamara at the weekend but is only being eased back into action following his own injury woes. As reported by BirminghamWorld, Emery said: "I know people in charge are not concerned by our complaints, but they must not forget the players are human beings. They need some rest and a rational schedule. There is nobody that can face with energy and safety, four matches in 10 days."

Aston Villa welcome Liverpool on Wednesday night in the top flight before the visit of Chelsea this weekend. There's then a trip to Crystal Palace and the visit of Cardiff City, all before February 28.

Addressing the subject in his pre-Ipswich programme notes, Emery said: "When we thought we earned the right on the pitch to have two weeks with no midweek games (by skipping the Champions League play-off round), suddenly and with short notice the authorities advanced the Liverpool match. A match that could be perfectly pushed back in the season.

"Surely, we're not the only ones to feel this unfair schedule and we're also aware that to fit in the matches with the extremely crowded international schedule isn't easy, but common sense says that it can be much more balanced and rational.

"I know people in charge are not concerned by our complaints, but they must not forget the players are human beings. They need some rest and a rational schedule. There is nobody that can face with energy and safety, four matches in 10 days."

Aston Villa defender ineligible to face Chelsea

Kamara has been playing centre-back in recent weeks, which makes Mings the most obvious replacement for those fixtures against London sides Chelsea and Crystal Palace. Ezri Konsa could also be trusted in the left-sided centre-back role.

Axel Disasi, who was signed on loan from Chelsea on Deadline Day, is another option but won't be eligible to face his parent club this weekend. Disasi made his Aston Villa debut against Ipswich Town last weekend, playing the full 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw at Villa Park. The Villains are now four Premier League matches without a win.

In other news, a Crystal Palace defender has hinted at a potential permanent exit from Selhurst Park as he enjoyed time on loan in the Championship.