John Carew can fire us up says Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill

Mar 19 2009 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

But O’Neill says his return has come at a crucial time.

“It is great to see him back when in actual fact you probably thought that it might have been really hard work coming back from the injury,” O’Neill said.

“Him coming back and firing and going well with confidence high, which is great, I think that will be a major boost to us.”

O’Neill admits he faces a difficult decision with Emile Heskey likely to face his former club Liverpool and the possibility of switching Agbonlahor to the right wing.

“We never had this choice before this season,” said O’Neill.

“We (just) had Carew and Gabby who started. Emile Heskey has come in and obviously started very brightly at Portsmouth.

“He is feeling his way a little bit. That is not a problem.

“To have the three centre forwards there can only boost us from now until the end of the season if they stay fit.

“Carew in terms of real proper fitness is now really raring to go which is great.

“In the training sessions and out in Dubai he is going great now.”

Straight-talking Aston Villa writer Mat Kendrick will be live on our website at 1pm today to answer all of your questions about the boys in Claret and Blue.

Mat will give his thoughts on the O'Neill Europe saga and the big game against Liverpool.

Pop along to www.birminghammail.net/live at 1pm today, all you have to do is write your question.