By Ryan Ghee
September 16 2005

Aston Villa have been rocked by the news that Danish defender Martin Laursen will miss the entire 05/06 campaign after undergoing surgery on his troublesome knee injury. The injury-plagued defender flew out to America on Monday morning to have his knee examined by a specialist and he underwent surgery yesterday afternoon. The Villans were hoping that he would be back in action after Christmas but all hopes were dashed when David O'Leary revealed the extent of the injury.

Speaking to Villa's official website, O'Leary said, "I've spoken to our physio Alan Smith, who flew out with Martin, and he's confirmed we won't see him in action again this season.

"It's a blow, but I suppose it's one I was prepared for. I was lookng at Martin in pre-season and thinking he wasn't a hundred per-cent right."