Source: Team_Talk
Gabby faces fitness race for cup tie
Villa skipper Petrov suffered an ankle injury in a challenge by Manchester United's Nani on Wednesday, which saw the midfielder sent off.[LNB]And Villa boss Martin O'Neill revealed that leading scorer Agbonlahor also sustained a leg injury during the closing stages of the 1-1 draw, even though he was able to complete 90 minutes.[LNB]O'Neill said: "We do have a few injury problems. Petrov will be a doubt for Sunday and he would have no chance if the game had been due to be played today.[LNB]"Gabby would be in the same boat. He hurt himself towards the end of the United game. He went down injured, stayed on, but is very sore."[LNB]On a more positive note, striker Emile Heskey and left-back Stephen Warnock were able to undertake some running at the club's Bodymoor Heath training complex on Thursday.[LNB]Heskey has been troubled by a groin problem while Warnock has been sidelined for three weeks with an ankle problem.[LNB]O'Neill said: "Emile did a bit of running and didn't feel any ill effects. Stephen was able to do the same for the first time in a fortnight and we will see how he is on Friday.[LNB]"He is a bit more upbeat than he has been and that is pleasing to see."[LNB]O'Neill is adamant Villa will field a strong side against Palace, even if Agbonlahor and Petrov have not recovered in time.[LNB]He said: "We're going to try to win the game. There might be a couple of enforced changes and I might make another couple as well.[LNB]"But overall we still want to compete in the competition. We have reached a Wembley final in one competition and we want to try and do what we can to do as well as possible in another."[LNB][LNB]
