Angel doubtful for start of season
BIRMINGHAM, England -- Aston Villa's Colombian striker Juan Pablo Angel may be ruled out for the start of the English Premiership season as he struggles to recover from an operation on his knee.
The 28-year-old underwent surgery at the end of last season and returned to training last week.
But manager David O'Leary fears he has missed too much of pre-season training to be ready in time for the first game at home to Southampton on August 14.
Angel was Villa's top scorer last season with 23 goals and put pen to paper on a new four year contract last week, but O'Leary has warned that unless he plays some part in in Saturday's friendly against Swedish club Jonkoping Sodra he won't make the Premiership opener.
"We're way off what Juan Pablo should be and we've really got to bring him up to speed because he's missed a lot of training," said O'Leary.
"I think he's still feeling that injury and it's still at the back of his mind.
"If we've got any way of his playing now against Southampton he's got to join in by Saturday. If not, I think the Southampton match becomes a big doubt for him."
Angel was bought from Argentinian club River Plate in January 2001 for a Villa club record $14 million on a four-and-a-half-year contract.
Villa have brought in two new players so far during the close season -- Martin Laursen, from AC Milan for £3m and Carlton Cole from Chelsea on a one-year loan deal -- but O'Leary is reported to want a further four new signings before August 14.
