Heskey ruled out

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill has ruled striker Emile Heskey out of Sunday’s Barclays Premier League clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

O’Neill believes Heskey could be absent for “up to two weeks” with the hamstring injury picked up on England duty against Slovakia at Wembley on Saturday.

Heskey limped off just 15 minutes into the 4-0 win, shortly after opening his side’s account with his first international goal for six years.

It is the second time O’Neill has been deprived of Heskey’s services because of an injury sustained playing for his country.

The former Wigan player aggravated an Achilles problem during the friendly international with Spain in Seville in February.

That caused him to miss the FA Cup clash at Everton and the UEFA Cup tie with CSKA Moscow at Villa Park.

O’Neill hit out at England boss Fabio Capello for playing Heskey against Spain after he had limped out of the previous game at Blackburn.