Bouma bites back

Last updated : 06 March 2006 By Norris Winter

The Dutch international has been out with a knee injury for two months but came in to help plug a gaping hole in the Villa back line left by a series of injuries and suspensions. "It was a relief to get back," the Seal-like former PSV Eindhoven man said. "It was great to the 90 minutes having not played for so long. My fitness was ok but now I want to get back to the way I was in November or December." Anyone who was unfortunate enough to bare witness to his horrific performance at West Ham just before might be inclined to disagree.

"The gaffer said 'are you ready?'"and I said 'of course I am'," Bouma continued, getting increasingly distracted by a nearby beach ball. "We're not safe yet. We know we still need points but we are full of confidence. There are still ten matches left and every one is a final for us," he barked, nonsensically. "We believe in ourselves. Every game we play we can win. The least you can do is work 100 per cent and then everything's possible." But before anyone could ask what on earth he was referring to, Bouma slithered off clapping his hands manically.