• Premier League

Villa woe deepens with double injury blow

ESPNsoccernet staff
February 13, 2012
Richard Dunne injured himself in the 1-0 defeat to Manchester City © PA Photos
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Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish has suffered a setback with key defenders Richard Dunne and Ciaran Clark both facing lengthy spells out.

Clark damaged knee ligaments after catching his studs in the turf during training, and Dunne suffered a broken collarbone in the dying stages of Sunday's 1-0 defeat at home to Manchester City. Following a scan, it was confirmed that Dunne will miss eight weeks of action.

Without a home win since November 5 - a run of five defeats and two draws - these are worrying times for Villa, who are just seven points above the relegation zone.

Following Sunday's defeat, a clearly unhappy McLeish said: "Our home record is pretty abysmal. I'm disappointed with that because in my managerial career I pride myself [on] home performances, and the current one isn't good enough.

"No club under 40 points can afford to be complacent in this league. Everybody is going to have a right go, and it's going to be a big fight.''

It could prove too much for some fans, up to 100 of whom voiced their concerns before kick-off with a protest against McLeish. There were a few banners and a few chants denouncing the Scot, but they were a small minority as the vast majority are preferring to give him a chance and get behind the team in its hour of need.

"I thought the fans inside the ground were brilliant,'' McLeish said. "I said to the players in the team talk that the fans want them to sweat blood when they are wearing the jersey, and we have to show we are prepared to do that.''

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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