Email
Print
Digg This
LONDON, July 26 (Reuters) - Aston Villa's Dutch international defender Wilfred Bouma will miss the start of the Premier League season after dislocating his right ankle in Saturday's Intertoto Cup win over OB Odense of Denmark.
The 30-year-old Bouma sustained his injury the same day as goalkeeper Brad Friedel, who has won 82 caps for United States, joined Villa from Blackburn Rovers for an undisclosed fee.
Former Liverpool keeper Friedel, 37, put pen to paper on a three-year contract, Villa said on their official website (www.avfc.co.uk).
Martin O'Neill's side beat Odense 1-0 thanks to a second-half goal from winger Ashley Young, putting them through to the UEFA Cup second qualifying round 3-2 on aggregate, but the manager described Bouma's injury as a major setback.
"It's obviously a serious injury to a player who has been playing exceptionally well," O'Neill told the club's website.
"He had a great season last year and will be missed. The injury is a big blow to us."
Villa launch their league campaign at home to Manchester City on Aug. 16.
Bouma also seems likely to miss the start of his country's 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, a trip to Macedonia in September.
