Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill has backed Gillingham to achieve their aim of promotion from League Two this season.O’Neill watched the Gills in their 1-1 draw with league leaders Wycombe before seeing his own side run very close by the League Two side in their FA Cup clash on Sunday.

The agent of Aston Villa striker John Carew announces that the Norwegian will not fully recover from his back injury until February or March.

Zat Knight scores deep into injury-time as Aston Villa come from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Arsenal at Villa Park in the Premier League. Gareth Barry also scores a penalty, with Abou Diaby and Denilson on target earlier for the Gunners.

Mladen Petric and Ivica Olic (2) score as Hamburg beat Aston Villa 3-1 at the Nordbank Arena to finish top of Group F in the UEFA Cup. Nathan Delfouneso grabs a late consolation for Villa, who have Steve Sidwell sent off for two bookable offences.

Two goals from Gabriel Agbonlahor, one from Ashley Young and a Kevin Davies own goal seal win for Villa, with Johan Elmander and Davies scoring for Bolton.

England’s Under-21 side cruise to a 2-0 friendly win over the Czech Republic at Bramall Lane. Goals from Fraizer Campbell and Craig Gardner gave Stuart Pearce’s men a comfortable victory and extended their unbeaten run to 28 matches.