Aston Villa Football Club News

• Nickname:The Villains
• Founded:1874
• Manager:Alex McLeish

• Ground:Villa Park
• Capacity:42,584

Surgery boost for Davies

03 Mar 2008 - 11:52:55

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Injured Aston Villa defender Curtis Davies has revealed the operation to correct a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered against Arsenal at the weekend has gone well.

The former England Under-21 international is expected to be sidelined for around seven months after suffering the blow in the first half of Saturday's 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium.

"The operation went ahead on Saturday evening and the surgeon said it went very well," he told the club's official website.

"Obviously there's a little bit of soreness there now and I'll just have to rest it up and let everything settle down."

Meanwhile, fellow defender Zat Knight is hoping to benefit from the absence of Davies and win back his starting place in manager Martin O'Neill's plans.

Knight started the season as the regular central defensive partner of Martin Laursen before losing his place to Davies in November.

"I feel for Curtis, as I would for anyone on my side. I wish him a speedy recovery," said Knight.

"I've missed nine games and obviously that's been frustrating because I'm used to playing week-in, week-out.

"But I understand the circumstances because Martin Laursen has been doing well, as has Curtis Davies. Maybe I'd have taken that decision a bit worse if we'd been losing games.

"But we were playing well so I had to take it on the chin, train right and keep a level head so that when you do get back in, you can stay there.

"It was very frustrating not playing, but that's football. You get highs and lows and that's why everyone loves it so much.

"It shows the quality in our team that Curtis came in and has done so well. We've lost one game in 12 in the league."