Heskey ready to face Chelsea after recovering from ankle injury

[Legion]

Striker ready to return to Villa attack at Stamford Bridge.

From Pravda:

Emile Heskey has handed Villa a boost ahead of Sunday's trip to Chelsea by declaring himself fit to face the double winners.

Manager Gerard Houllier said the striker should be available for the clash at Stamford Bridge after recovering from the twisted ankle he sustained in the Boxing Day defeat to Tottenham.

Ashley Young also resumed training this week having been sidelined for around a fortnight with a knee problem.

But the encounter with Carlo Ancelotti's team will probably come too soon for full-back Luke Young, who is still battling to overcome an ankle injury.

"Luke still feels his ankle," said Houllier. "I would be surprised if he is fit for the game against Chelsea.

"But Emile should be okay. He is training and he should be back for the game.

"Ashley has had his first training session and it is two weeks since he last trained.

"So far he has looked all right. On Wednesday he trained with the reserves but he had to leave and do some work on his knee. But today he was okay."

Houllier confirmed Colorado Rapids forward Omar Cummings is training with his squad.

With the Major League Soccer campaign finishing last month, the 28-year-old Jamaica international has linked up with Villa at Bodymoor Heath.

Cummings, who has scored six times in 21 appearances for his national team, arrives on the back of helping the Rapids to their first-ever MLS Cup triumph.

He scored a career-high 14 goals in the 2010 season, as Colorado qualified for the play-offs, before going on to be crowned overall MLS champions.

Cummings has developed into one of the most feared strikers in the US league, earning numerous Player of the Week and Goal of the Week awards since being drafted in 2007.

"Somebody mentioned him, we enquired, we looked at some videos and said we would have him here on trial," said Houllier.

"He's a bit jet-lagged because he only arrived on Wednesday. I don't think we can say yet when he will be involved.

"We need a work permit and many things so we will see. He's got a nice personality. There's no cost and no risk.

"He is quick and can also play on the wing. Don't forget we have not many options up front at this time."

[SteveD]

Omar Cummings? Sounds like The Wire! Let's hope he has equal firepower and the ability to surprise...

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Oscar Cummings and Chelsea Thrustbuttock the porn stars, starring in 'Aston Villa get butt fucked part 2'
Available to view Sunday 2 January.

[WikiVilla]

Good news re heskey
Will Cummings be on bench?

[Rimmy Jimmer]

Thats bad news about Heskey! We need to get rid of him asap. he does nothing to improve the side. Honestly i have no idea what some villa fans see in him. Hes slow, cumbersome, cant score, slow getting into the box, clumsy, dont even think about one on ones, does not unsettle opposing defenders, no tyhreat whatsoever, does not gell at all with Gabi or Ash, basically total shite! P**s off!

[Legion]

Thats bad news about Heskey! We need to get rid of him asap. he does nothing to improve the side. Honestly i have no idea what some villa fans see in him. Hes slow, cumbersome, cant score, slow getting into the box, clumsy, dont even think about one on ones, does not unsettle opposing defenders, no tyhreat whatsoever, does not gell at all with Gabi or Ash, basically total shite! P**s off!

Rubbish. We look far less effective without him up front. He's been a revelation under Houllier. A transformed player compared to the dross he served up with O'Neill.

[Rimmy Jimmer]

Oh Yeah! We cant f**k in score and we near the  bottom of the league!

[Chris Smith]

Thats bad news about Heskey! We need to get rid of him asap. he does nothing to improve the side. Honestly i have no idea what some villa fans see in him. Hes slow, cumbersome, cant score, slow getting into the box, clumsy, dont even think about one on ones, does not unsettle opposing defenders, no tyhreat whatsoever, does not gell at all with Gabi or Ash, basically total shite! P**s off!

That post is about as far removed from the truth as it is possible to be.

Heskey has been good for us this season and we need him available more often.

[ktvillan]

Thats bad news about Heskey! We need to get rid of him asap. he does nothing to improve the side. Honestly i have no idea what some villa fans see in him. Hes slow, cumbersome, cant score, slow getting into the box, clumsy, dont even think about one on ones, does not unsettle opposing defenders, no tyhreat whatsoever, does not gell at all with Gabi or Ash, basically total shite! P**s off!

Your comments seem to be based on his performances under MON, and even then I wouldn't necessarily agree.  Under Houllier he's scored and made goals when available including the winners against Wolves and Albion and definitely adds something to the team.   For example in both games against Spurs we looked dangerous going forward 'til he limped off, after which we were largely clueless.   If he can't gel with Gabby it might have something to do with the Gabby's limitations.

[TheSandman]

Heskey has been our best or rather only convincing striker all season. He is the lynchpin of our attack and holds it together. His fitness is key to staying up as things stand.

[BoredNow]

Great to see Emile's back. He's been really good for us this season, and having someone up front to a) help Gabby and b) take the pressure off the midfield/defence while reinforcements arrive will be vital.

[pablopicasso_10]

it really does show how shit we have become when that useless lump is seen as our saviour...

[Rimmy Jimmer]

Well said pablopicasso!!!!!!!!!! God help us if we need to rely on Heskey. If this is the case then we are in for a serious relegation fight!

[villa1]

He has been much improved since GH arrived. That's pretty obvious for anyone to see. We suffered when he went off against Spurs.

[rutski]

i am not a heskey fan, but we have looked a better team with him in it whilst houllier has been manager!
if he is fit then good
another string to our bow!