Ex-Aston Villa club doctor Barrie Smith says injury crisis is the worst ever at the club

Dec 26 2010 by Gregg Evans, Sunday Mercury

ASTON Villa's crippling injury nightmare has seen 19 first-team squad players miss games this season.

Except for Brad Friedel, every one of Villa’s back four, first-choice midfield and front line have picked up knocks and niggles since the season kicked off back in August.

Only the veteran American stopper, and England international Stephen Warnock have been ever-present in the league this term, although the left-back has played through the pain barrier with a back injury.

It’s been a frustrating time for manager Gerard Houllier and the fans, who have seen their team slide down to 14th place in the Premier League.

It hasn’t helped having to deal with injuries to key players such as Stiliyan Petrov, Nigel Reo-Coker, Gabby Abgonlahor and Emile Heskey.

But one man who has also had his work cut out over the past few weeks is club doctor Mark Waller, who arrived at Villa Park when there were nine players on the casualty list.

The 53-year-old worked under Houllier during his time at Liverpool and was also responsible for saving the Frenchman’s life when he diagnosed the severity of his chest pains in 2001.

Former club doctor Barrie Smith knows all about injury problems after spending a large chunk of his career nursing a host of stars. The retired medic spent almost 30 years mending Villa’s walking wounded, and sympathises with the new arrival who has had to deal with the crisis.

“It is by far the worst injury situation the club has ever had,” said the ex-consultant physician, who now follows Villa as a fan.

“Many clubs have got injuries but it just seems that Aston Villa’s have all come at once.

“There is always a lot of pressure on club doctors especially when there are a lot of injuries.

‘‘ The doctor could have served the club very well but then lose his job if the manager moves on.

“It’s then very hard to get back in as a GP if you find yourself out of work.