Martin O’Neill and Aston Villa are praying that striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has escaped serious injury after being stretchered out of last night’s UEFA Cup victory.

Agbonlahor’s exit provided a worrying final snapshot on an otherwise super evening for Villa, as they claimed the scalp of Ajax in their opening UEFA Cup group match.

It has already given Villa a significant leg-up in their bid to reach the third phase of this season’s European challenge by qualifying for the knockout stages.

Of more immediate concern to Villa fans will be the fitness of Agbonlahor, who carried the attack to Ajax on his own, with John Carew sidelined by illness but was carried away after colliding with Ajax goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer late on.

O’Neill added: “He has a lot of cuts across both knees after going in for the challenge. We’re hoping that’s all it will be. If it’s severe cuts then that is something he can live with.

“I’m hoping he hasn’t done any damage but we won’t know until later today.”

The Villa boss was exuberant over the England Under 21 forward’s contribution.

He added: “It was a masterclass from one so young in playing that lone centre-forward role, a system we don’t play too often.”