Villa manager Martin O’Neill sent three of his walking wounded for scans today after admitting the hectic fixture list is taking its toll.

Striker Emile Heskey and midfielder were James Milner both substituted in last night’s draw with Sunderland while central defender Richard Dunne is a continuing doubt, as the claret and blues prepare to face Chelsea and their sixth game in 20 days this month.

Milner and Dunne both volunteered for service after major doubts either would play because of Achilles problems but Heskey is a new worry, while top league scorer Gabby Agbonlahor remains sidelined.

O’Neill said: “Gabby is improving daily but I don’t know if he will be ready for Saturday. He might be and we’ll see where we are.

“Emile came off with an Achilles problem. James did well to play for as long as he did in the game. He was sore beforehand but, psychologically, I wanted him on the field.

“He was prepared to play. He wasn’t going to exacerbate things greatly other than playing through a bit of pain which he’s done.

“I’m delighted with him but his Achilles is very sore. They’re all going for scans, Richard Dunne also. It’s down to the number of games we’ve played.

“I think overall we’ve been really lucky with injuries but the games are definitely taking their toll.”

Villa’s 1-1 with Sunderland was the seventh drawn game from this year’s 10 Premier League fixtures, but represented a missed opportunity in the scramble for fourth-place as rivals Manchester City lost at home to Everton.

O’Neill said: “We were disappointed in the dressing room but the Man City result keeps us still there and it is going to be really tight. It is still alive, absolutely. Tottenham will be delighted at the two of us dropping points while getting through to the FA Cup semi-finals.

“But we all have tough fixtures, none tougher than us for Saturday, and there will be twists and turns, as I said a few weeks ago.

“Like Manchester City getting beaten by Everton. It’s so tight.”

O’Neill is looking forward to a respite after the Stamford Bridge prelude to next month’s FA Cup semi-final, a two-week build-up interrupted by just the one game at Bolton.