Aston Villa FC

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Bouma bombshell rocks Villa

27 Jul 2008 - 07:12:44

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Aston Villa defender Wilfred Bouma faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a dislocated ankle in the early stages of Saturday's Intertoto Cup third-round victory over Odense.

There had been fears that the 30-year-old Dutchman had broken his leg but after the game Villa boss Martin O'Neill confirmed Bouma had had his ankle set in plaster.

"The doctor's back from the hospital and says it's a dislocation," O'Neill told Villa's official website.

"Thankfully the skin isn't broken, which is really good news. They've re-set it and he's now in plaster.

"It's obviously a serious injury to a player who's been playing exceptionally well - he had a great, great season last year and he'll be missed.

"The players are going to visit him and we wish him all the very best and the injury is a big blow to us.

"However, Wilfred has good strength of character and I hope he'll come through it. I'm sure he will because if anyone can it's him."