Aston Villa blow as John Carew unlikely to feature in Vienna

Aug 17 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

JOHN Carew is doubtful for Villa’s Europa League trip to Vienna after it emerged it was the striker’s decision to pull out of the depressing opening-day defeat to Wigan.

Carew was conspicuous by his absence as Martin O’Neill’s men got their Premier League campaign off to the worst possible start with a 2-0 home loss to the Latics.

It transpired that it was the Norwegian target man himself who chose not to risk aggravating an infected toe after it caused him too much pain during the warm-up.

O’Neill named Carew in his original list of substitutes but replaced him with Nathan Delfouneso at late notice after receiving permission from Wigan and the match officials.

“The doctor had mentioned the problem to me, but I thought myself that he would be okay otherwise I wouldn’t have put him on the bench in the first place,” said O’Neill.

“I was hoping, if needed – and even if we were going well he might have been needed – that he would have been okay.

“But obviously John thought his foot was sore enough not to be able to take his place.

“It will always be the player’s decision eventually, absolutely. I wouldn’t ask players to play against their will if they thought they were going to injure themselves. I’ve never done that.

“I was hoping he’d be able to play, I was aware of the injury, but I abide by the player’s decision.

“When we’re all in again we’ll reassess injuries and fitness with all of them.”

Carew is optimistic he will be fit enough to fly to Austria with the Villa squad on Wednesday for Thursday’s play-off first-leg clash against Rapid Vienna.