Aston Villa's European hopes have been dealt a major blow with the news that striker Juan Pablo Angel be sideline for at least three weeks with a knee injury.
Angel has undergone a renaissance since David O'Leary took over at Villa Park and has scored 21 goals this season but he has been playing with a knee problem for several weeks.
However following a gruelling schedule of three games in seven days, the knee injury has flared up and O'Leary revealed that his Colombian hitman will need to rest for at least three week, missing Villa's next four matches with Bolton, Chelsea, Newcastle and Middlesbrough.
O'Leary said: "Juan Pablo will be out of action for around about three weeks and we are just hoping he might be back for the last couple of games of the season."
"He's had this knee problem for a while and I just think the Colombian trip, the travelling out there, playing the game, travelling back and then playing again so soon afterwards have taken their toll."
"It's a big blow for us because Juan has been excellent for us this season and he has been superb to deal with. There have been times before when he has played when I didn't think he would be able to but he has been very committed and I've been delighted with his response since I came here."
Filed by Rob Wright
