Wilfred Bouma will miss the rest of Aston Villa's season as he has to undergo further ankle surgery. The Dutch international had looked on course to play some part in the run-in after completing three games for the reserves.

O'Neill said: "Freddie has had a bit of a setback. There have been some floating particles in the ankle that might have been there for some time or might have broken off in his rehab.

"I think he needs a bit of keyhole surgery. If he does, I think that might prevent him from making the comeback between now and the end of the season.

"We will know better about that by the middle of next week but I think the idea is that it is best to get it (the surgery) done now."