1. Footymad
  2. Villans Mad
  3. Villans Latest
  4. Villans News

No Gard of honour

Last updated : 27 March 2008 By Tom Vickers
Craig Gardner faces three weeks on the sidelines adding to Villa's right back problems.
Although Olof Mellberg is available after suspension and will face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday, the squad is already struggling to cope.
One piece of good news is that Scott Carson will also return after missing out for England in midweek.
Whether Villa fans view Carson with pleasure or pain he will start at the Theatre of Dreams and the travelling faithful will hope it won't prove to be the Theatre of Nightmares.
Stuart Taylor is waiting in the wings but it seems that Carson is the wind beneath O'Neill's pair of flight aids. The problem being that the England goalkeeper only ever grabs at air rather than the ball.
Carson may feel more comfortable with Mellberg lining up in front of him and Gardner is running out of time to prove that he is the successor to the Swede's right back crown.
The utility man has proved more than useful this season but is he merely a squad player?
An appearance against the world's best number seven would have given him a chance to overhaul Mellberg but that chance will now pass him by.