David O'Leary is the manager of Aston Villa Football Club and just because we've heard all the excuses and blarney before, apart from the takeover speculation one, it doesn't mean he doesn't have a point, so let's look see shall we.

Injuries is a banker and used quite often and it is valid, but every team gets them but quite honestly I've never known a time at Villa Park when we've had so many - what's going on?

Is it that they push them too hard? Is it that they don't really know how to fix them up or does he bring them back too early?

Who is this fitness coach at Villa Park that needs the help of Loughborough University to put together fitness plans?

All things aside, injuries are a part of football and you have to go into the season expecting to get them and yes it's a factor but not an excuse, although it does have a bearing based on squad size.

Last night Aston Villa lost Thomas Sorensen before the match started and Patrik Berger in the second half after coming on for the last 45 minutes.

If they recalled Peter Whittingham, which I'm sure he's going to do now, Aston Villa have a fit squad complement of 18 players.

Not the biggest and quite honestly one of the smallest.

What the manager has to do, instead of bitch and moan about the size of his squad, is work with them and tell them what he wants them to do in a match.

Eighteen players isn't a lot but he's got cover for all positions and with Aaron Hughes and Milan Baros likely to be fit for the Liverpool match then that takes fit squad size up to 20.

Yes there are excuses and yes they should play a factor but let's get one thing straight, it's about how the team plays football. Playing good football will get results and right now we're not playing good football and we haven't for some time.

Can David O'Leary continue to use these excuses? What is your opinion? Email damian@astonvilla.biz and let me know.