Aston Villa: Warnock in doubt for Toffees clash

Oct 28 2009 by Lisa Smith, Birmingham Mail

Stephen Warnock

MARTIN O’Neill admits Stephen Warnock could be a doubt for Saturday’s Premier League trip to Everton after getting a knock in Villa’s heroic Carling Cup victory over Sunderland.

Warnock was a key man in the defeat of Steve Bruce’s side at the Stadium of light on penalties but limped off at the end for treatment.

O’Neill, who saw his side triumph after a physical encounter, said: “There are a lot of knocks and bruises. I think that Stephen Warnock might be a doubt but I will know better when we have had him checked out.”

O’Neill was thrilled with the number of fans who took advantage of Villa’s generous offer to lay on free coach transport for the game with 2100 ensuring the presence of a “12th man.”

“It was a great reward,” he said.

Less enamoured was he, however, with the penalty awarded after an apparent handball by Carlos Cuellar which could have been Villa’s downfall had it not been for a fine save from Brad Guzan.

“I thought it was very harsh indeed,” O’Neill said. “I’m not even sure that when it hits him he is in the penalty area.

“He put his hand up to protect his face , it wasn’t one of those where his hands were flailing.”