Set-piece test for Villa's defenders

Mar 14 2007 By Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

MARTIN O'Neill will be looking for his defence to prove they can get over their achilles heel - set-piece defending - but has warned Villa they will get no respite from an Arsenal side not renowned for banging balls into the box.

Newcastle, Reading and Fulham have all benefited from wayward marking in three of Villa's last four games.

O'Neill has been working hard with his back four on the training ground and expects a tough test against the Gunners tonight.

"Don't get the notion that just because it's Arsenal set-pieces won't cause us problems," he said. "This idea that Arsenal will go short just because they are missing a few players is wrong.

"At the Emirates Stadium against us they had a goal disallowed from a free-kick just before half-time.

"They are still as dangerous as anyone from set-pieces. Regardless of who we're playing, we have to be better at defending set-pieces."

Martin Laursen (hamstring) was brought back into the side at Fulham to add an aerial threat but will be replaced by Gary Cahill tonight.

O'Neill added: "We should be better equipped to deal with set-pieces and I thought we were when we kicked off against Fulham.

"It's a constant thing and they are becoming more important because big matches are being settled by them more and more."