Villa wait on three for derby game
Thursday 22nd April 2010, 11:57AM BST.
Villa will today check on the fitness of three of their battle-weary heroes ahead of Sunday’s Second City derby visit of Birmingham.
Captain Stiliyan Petrov was forced off with a groin problem late on in last night’s 2-0 win at Hull, while defenders Stephen Warnock and Richard Dunne both soldiered on with ankle and head injuries respectively.
Warnock and Dunne were hurt in bruising collisions with Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink – the latter leaving the Tigers striker knocked out for five minutes.
But manager Martin O’Neill is hopeful all three will receive the green light to enter combat once again in this weekend’s eagerly-anticipated clash at Villa Park.
He said: “Richard came off with a cut head in the clash with their centre-forward, who unfortunately was concussed.
“Dunne came back on again. He just had to go out and get some treatment. I think the cut might have reopened after stitches, but I’m hoping he’s going to be OK.
“Stephen Warnock was kicked twice in the same spot within a matter of moments, but carried on until the end.
“Stiliyan Petrov had a kick in the groin which was very sore at half-time, but he stayed on until close to the end.
“When we got the second goal I gave it another few minutes and took him off. We’ll see how they are.”
Hull are waiting for news on striker Vennegoor of Hesselink, who was taken straight to hospital after being stretchered from the field following a seven-minute delay for treatment.
Manager Iain Dowie said: “Jan was out for five minutes so that’s a real worry. He’s gone to hospital for a CT scan. We’ll have to wait and see, but he was looking in a fairly bad way.
“I think he was just conscious as he came off the pitch.”
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