Villa boss Martin O’Neill’s relationship with England coach Fabio Capello looks to have hit a new low after Emile Heskey could be sidelined for two weeks.

The striker is definitely out of Sunday’s showdown at Old Trafford, after picking up a hamstring injury while on England duty.

Heskey aggravated an Achilles injury back in February, while playing for England, sparking a furious row between O’Neill and Capello.

Now the former Liverpool striker will miss another chunk of the season, at a time when Villa are falling out of the race for a top four place.

But as one door closes, another one opens for Gabriel Agbonlahor.

The Villa striker – left on the bench for the recent 5-0 drubbing at Anfield in favour of a John Carew/Heskey partnership – could now be back in the firing line.

O’Neill has to decide whether to go with an extra man in midfield at Old Trafford, after their central two were ruthlessly exposed at Liverpool.

That could mean a return to the ultra-successful formula of a five-man midfield, with Agbonlahor spearheading the attack.

The England under-21 ace can’t wait for the Old Trafford trip after United’s recent wobbles.

He said; “Too many teams go to Old Trafford and just give up without even trying. But teams like Everton, who went there with a positive attitude, almost got something.”

“We’re treating every game like a cup final and hopefully that will be enough at the end of the season.”