And another thing...

Looks like Wayne Routledge could miss out on a loan move.

Wolves were keen, so I understand, and Routledge was a possibility with their wide players injured.

He played extremely well against Litex Lovech and more than a few Championship clubs are interested.

But the problem is the four European games that face Villa over the next couple of months and the fact that a few injuries and the likes of Routledge, Isiah Osbourne, Zat Knight- their 'midweek' team if you like, will be called upon.

Whisper it but even Marlon Harewood could be called upon. CRIKEEEY NO!!!!

The indications are that Gabby Agbonlahor was only taken off as a precaution against Wales under-21s last night.

But even if he missed the Portsmouth game- and many a Villa supporter I speak to say to me that that might not be a bad thing for the youngster or the team- then would you seriously put your faith in Harewood from the start? Unlikely.

More likely James Milner would get the call to partner John Carew.

There has been a lot of speculation about Harewood and the possibility of him leaving Villa Park in January.

Can Stoke City's Tony Pulis really be that desperate? Well yes....probably.

But surely not Reading's Steve Coppell? Well, stranger things have happened. There's little doubt O'Neill has had a long-term interest in Kevin Doyle and there's little doubt that Harewood's power would cause defences major problems in the Championship.

Harewood has been so out-of-touch but you simply couldn't rule anything out. But with a £4 million price tag Martin O'Neill will not give him away.

Harewood turned his first season at the club around with a 20 minute cameo at Liverpool last January.

Can he do the same again? Well, the signs aren't good despite a first goal since April's 6-0 rout of Derby County when he scored a real belter against Litex Lovetch.

That had taken him 347 minutes of action over six months.

He got another 18 minutes at Chelsea. Mathematicians can work it out. That's one goal in 365 minutes, or one goal in four games.

As for his late show at Chelsea in those closing minutes? Full of much huffing and puffing but with little inclination to blow down any houses, indeed it's doubtful John Terry felt anything more than a light autumn breeze down the back of his neck whenever Harewood was in persuit.

To think he was on the point of signing for Wigan 18 months back. Harewood changed his mind, Steve Bruce then took over, Emile Heskey flourished and they signed an Egyptian called Amr Zaki who not only can't stop scoring but apparently even likes the weather.

I still think Heskey could be Villa bound in January. Or Doyle. Or both.