[Mighty T.A.L.]

Villa confirm Carew blow

Martin O'Neill has confirmed Aston Villa striker John Carew will be out for up to six weeks with a knee injury.

The Norwegian picked up the problem in Sunday's 2-0 win at home to Everton after he had opened his account for the season.

A scan on the injury has shown Carew has suffered ligament damage and he is now likely to be sidelined until November.

Villa boss O'Neill admits Carew's absence is a blow, but he has thrown down a challenge for someone to come in and take the forward's place.

"At this minute he has definitely got a ligament problem and we're looking at maybe four to six weeks," O'Neill told the club's official website.

Key player

"It came as he was stretching for a ball. Somebody fell on top of him and he twisted it.

"I would have obviously preferred him to be fit for Monday night, but we will see how it goes.

"We're playing tomorrow (against Leicester), at Tottenham (on Monday) and then we play West Ham before an international fortnight. So from that viewpoint he could have missed more games.

"It's a blow because he's a key player for us, but this is going to happen during the course of a season and you have to cope with it.

"It's now all about players coming in, doing well and staking their claim."

Skysports