It's half-time

IT's half-time at Villa Park and we've all witnessed a terrible, terrible injury.

Poor Freddie Bouma. It was horrific.

I was there at Ipswich when Luc Nilis broken his leg in a clash with Richard Wright. This is as close as we've seen since.

Thoughts obviously go to Bouma. One of the nicest, most placid characters you could ever wish to meet.

His popularity in the derssing room could be measured by the expression on the faces of his team-mates as they trudged, ashen-faced to the touchline as the stretcher bearers ran onto the centre circle.

I'm told you could hear the screams on the TV, although I've obviously no way of knowing.

Craig Gardner looked especially pale. Laursen, Knight- big, grown men looked shattered.

I needn't remind you that Villa no longer have a fit full-back at the club. Not left, nor right.

It was magnificent for the entire ground to give Gareth Barry such vociferous support.

And it was nice to see Brad Friedel introduced to the crowd at half-time.

But even if Villa progress now, it will have been at a cost.