GERARD Houllier faces a selection headache not of his own making with a serious injury to Richard Dunne adding to Villa’s deepening defensive crisis.

Houllier’s woes come as the claret and blues brace themselves for a summer showdown with Martin O’Neill over the former boss’s claim for compensation. Villa head to Bolton tomorrow with the prospect of just one fit centre-half after Dunne was ruled for three weeks with a dislocated shoulder.

The Irish international played through the pain barrier during the club’s controversial FA Cup surrender against his old club Manchester City in midweek. But with Carlos Cuellar still sidelined by hamstring trouble, Villa will attempt to rush James Collins back from a calf problem for tomorrow’s match.

Ciaran Clark is the only other fit and available centre-half. Although Nathan Baker is set to return from a head injury, he will be required at left-back.

It is a problem Houllier could do without after incurring the wrath of furious fans following his decision to make eight changes – two enforced – at Eastlands.

After crashing out of the FA Cup fifth round, Houllier is under pressure to pick up a victory at the Reebok Stadium to vindicate his team selection.

Houllier has set his team a 43-point survival target and believes they need another 10 points from their remaining 10 games to be safe.