CHELSEA manager Carlo Ancelotti believes his side need to beat leaders Manchester United in March to stand any chance of retaining their championship after dropping yet more points in the title race yesterday.

EMBATTLED Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier yesterday revealed he is willing to give Stephen Ireland and Richard Dunne a chance to revive their Aston Villa careers.

Aston Villa have been hit by yet another injury setback with acting skipper Richard Dunne suffering a recurrence of a knee problem.

Aston Villa are likely to have eight first-team squad members unavailable for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash with Manchester United.

Aston Villa striker John Carew has been recalled to the starting line-up for the Barclays Premier League clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Gerard Houllier included three centre-backs in his line-up for the derby clash with Birmingham at Villa Park.

Richard Dunne believes the team “who wants it most” will triumph in tomorrow’s derby with Birmingham at Villa Park.

Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov will not require surgery to cure his knee problem – but will still be out of action for up to three months.

Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 0

Chelsea skipper John Terry returned after missing England’s midweek clash with Montenegro for the Barclays Premier League clash at Aston Villa.

ASTON VILLA crashed out of the Europa League last night at the final qualifying hurdle against Rapid Vienna for the second successive season despite twice being in front.

Aston Villa 2 Rapid Vienna 0

MARTIN O’NEILL was showing concerns over how much money Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner would make available for new signings only 72 hours before quitting the midlands club.

Martin O’Neill was showing concerns over how much money Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner would make available for new signings only 72 hours before quitting the midlands club.

ASTON VILLA owner Randy Lerner insists his relationship with Martin O’Neill is as “close as ever” after revealing the Irishman will be remaining as manager for next season.

NEWCASTLE UNITED’S history is littered with folk heroes.

ASTON VILLA sources yesterday dismissed reports which claimed manager Martin O’Neill had quit the midlands club.

Aston Villa sources have dismissed reports which claimed manager Martin O’Neill had quit the midlands club.

Aston Villa skipper Stiliyan Petrov and 12-goal leading scorer Gabriel Agbonlahor are major fitness worries ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup fifth-round clash at Crystal Palace.

FURIOUS Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has challenged Liverpool counterpart Rafael Benitez to put up or shut up over his pursuit of Kenwyne Jones.

Republic of Ireland central defender Richard Dunne (hamstring, striker Emile Heskey (foot), and skipper Stiliyan Petrov (Achilles) suffered injuries in Aston Villa's Carling Cup semi-final win over Blackburn on Wednesday and are rated doubtful for the home FA Cup fourth round clash with Brighton.

ASTON VILLA manager Martin O’Neill has admitted he will have to sell before he can bring in any new players during the January transfer window.

Aston Villa 3 Blackburn 1

Aston Villa winger Ashley Young returns to the squad for tomorrow’s FA Cup third-round tie against Blackburn.

RAFAEL BENITEZ admits Liverpool’s brittle confidence will be on the line in tonight’s crunch Barclays Premier League showdown at fourth-placed Aston Villa.

Aston Villa will be without suspended winger Ashley Young for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League visit of Liverpool.

IF, as is generally assumed, at least two of the Premier League’s established big beasts are endangered species this season, there is little doubt as to who is clutching the rifle in the long grass.

AMID the hyperbole surrounding Manchester City and Tottenham’s pursuit of English football’s established elite, the challenge of Aston Villa has gone almost unnoticed.

Aston Villa 1 Tottenham Hotspur 1

Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov and full-back Habib Beye will return after suspension for the Barclays Premier League clash with Burnley at Turf Moor tomorrow.

Aston Villa will be without skipper Stiliyan Petrov and defender Habib Beye through suspension for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League match with Bolton.

Aston Villa skipper Stiliyan Petrov has joined defender Habib Beye in being ruled out of the Barclays Premier League clash at home to Bolton through suspension.

SUBSTITUTE Zavon Hines scored an injury-time winner against 10-man Aston Villa to lift the struggling Hammers out of the bottom three of the Premier League.

West Ham 2 Aston Villa 1

West Ham have made a number of changes for tonight's Premier League match against Aston Villa, with Scott Parker back in midfield for the struggling side.

Aston Villa have major injury doubts over midfielders Stiliyan Petrov and James Milner ahead of tomorrow night’s Barclays Premier League encounter at West Ham.

Emile Heskey could make a rare start for Aston Villa in tomorrow’s Carling Cup clash with Sunderland at The Stadium Of Light.

Aston Villa defender Luke Young is included in the squad for the first time this season for the home Barclays Premier League clash with Chelsea tomorrow.

Aston Villa defender Luke Young is close to full fitness with Martin O’Neill optimistic he will be available for action after the international break.

Gabriel Agbonlahor ensured Aston Villa avoided more Carling Cup humiliation with his third-minute goal sufficient to overcome Cardiff at Villa Park.

Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey is a fitness doubt for the home Carling Cup clash with Cardiff.

ASTON VILLA boss Martin O’Neill believes he has assembled a stronger squad than last season, claiming he “couldn’t be more pleased” with his summer signings.

Aston Villa have taken their summer spending to £40m after today finally confirming the signing of Manchester City skipper Richard Dunne.

Aston Villa are hoping to complete the signing of Blackburn left-back Stephen Warnock left-back in the next 24 hours.