Delaney refuses to make excuses
Aston Villa defender Mark Delaney has insisted a small squad should not be blamed for the recent disappointing run of Premiership results.
The 2-0 defeat at Crystal Palace on Monday means Villa have collected just four points from the last seven matches.
Villa manager David O’Leary is looking to bring in new blood with Portsmouth midfielder Amdy Faye and Newcastle defender Andy O’Brien potential targets.
But Delaney insists having one of the smallest squads in the top flight should not be used as an excuse for Villa’s alarming slide in fortunes.
The Welsh international said: “Strengthening the squad has been spoken about but we are not looking for excuses – small squad or not.
“We put out a good team at Crystal Palace on Monday and it was a team which was well capable of winning the match.
“The gaffer wants to bring players in – and rightly so – but we are not going to use that as an excuse for things.
“At the moment what is happening is that we are dominating a lot of play in games but when we are on top, we are not scoring. That is what is letting us down.”
O’Leary could receive one piece of good news after missing out on the capture of James Beattie with Carlton Cole making good progress after a knee problem.
The on-loan Chelsea striker has missed the last two games after suffering the setback when colliding with a plastic bollard in training.
But a scan has showed no serious damage and he could be in contention for Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Sheffield United.
O’Leary said: “Carlton might have a chance for Saturday but we will know more over the next few days. He hurt his knee badly in training and we will see how he progresses.”
