Aston Villa Manager Martin O’Neil has admitted that injuries may affect his team’s performance as they travel to Stamford Bridge this Saturday in an English Premier League crucial game.

Villa have no Leading scorer Gabriel Agbonlahor who is already sidelined due to foot injury while Emile Heskey, midfielder James Milner and central defender Richard Dunne are all awaits scans to see the extent of the Achilles problem they sustained on Wednesday in a one all draw game with Sunderland.

"Gabby is improving daily but I don't know if he will be ready for Saturday. He might be and we'll see where we are. Emile came off with an Achilles problem. James did well to play for as long as he did in the game. He was sore beforehand but, psychologically, I wanted him on the field," O'Neill said according to The Mirror.

He added: "He was prepared to play. He wasn't going to exacerbate things greatly other than playing through a bit of pain which he's done.

"I'm delighted with him but his Achilles is very sore.

"They're all going for scans, Richard Dunne also. It's down to the number of games we've played. I think overall we've been really lucky with injuries but the games are definitely taking their toll."

The manager further believes that his fourth spot title dreams are still alive especially with the loss of Manchester City at home to Everton.

He said: "We were disappointed in the dressing room but the Man City result keeps us still there and it is going to be really tight.

"It is still alive, absolutely. Tottenham will be delighted at the two of us dropping points while getting through to the FA Cup semi-finals.

"But we all have tough fixtures, none tougher than us for Saturday, but there will be twists and turns, as I said a few weeks ago, like Manchester City getting beat by Everton. It's so tight."

Aston Villa are playing well this season in all competitions and their defence have been the best in English Premier League-conceding not more than ten goals but with less home win than Blackburn, Fulham and Everton.

Photo courtesy: Aston Villa site