Aston Villa FC

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• Manager:Gerard Houllier

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Reo-Coker suffers setback

07 Feb 2009 - 10:39:54

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Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has admitted that Nigel Reo-Coker's hamstring injury is causing him some concern.

The former West Ham United midfielder has not played since last month's FA Cup fourth round draw at Doncaster Rovers, but had been pencilled in for a return to action against Blackburn Rovers.

However, O'Neill confirmed: "Nigel was able to train earlier this week but still felt a bit of a twinge and he's gone for a scan. We're awaiting the results.

"We were hoping he'd be available for the Blackburn game but that isn't going to be the case. We're just hoping it isn't too bad."

Meanwhile, O'Neill agrees that his side is currently playing better football away from home.

Villa have won their last six Premier League games away from Villa Park, with former Celtic and Leicester City manager O'Neill saying: "Away from home I'd accept the point that we've had a wee bit of room and have been able to exploit that to good effect at times.

"At this minute I wouldn't disagree with anyone who says the strongest part of our game is probably counter-attack.

"I've always said the onus is on the home side to attack. It should be the case. But, when we've played away from home recently, that hasn't necessarily been the case from the outset.

"Hull, for instance, sat in there and made us look as if we were the home team and on the evening we found it difficult. But generally speaking the games are set up in a different fashion.

"Despite the fact we've had five 0-0 draws at home, only two or three teams have scored more goals than us.

"We're in there battling at the top end of the table but each game presents us with a different set of problems we have to try and overcome."