Football Corner

Aston Villa defender Martin Laursen has been ruled out of action for the rest of the season with a recuring knee problem that he picked up on the opening day of the season. The Danish defender has played just 13 times for Villa since securing a £3 million move from Milan, and has seen top specialist Dr Richard Steadman about the problem.

"I've spoken to our physio Alan Smith, who flew out with Martin, and he's confirmed we won't see him in action again this season," said manager David O'Leary. "It's a blow, but I suppose it's one I was prepared for. I was looking at Martin in pre-season and thinking he wasn't 100 percent right."

This is big blow for Villa because they certainly haven't had any great denfencive displays this season. At least Villa recently signed Dutch centre back Wilfred Bouma from PSV for a fee of £3million so he will fill in for him. Laursen is 29 years old and he still has some years left in him but this is a big dent in his good carrer.