Nilis suffers horrific knee injury

Belgian striker Luc Nilis has suffered an horrific knee injury in only his third match for new club Aston Villa.

Nilis was signed on a free transfer from Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven in the summer and scored on his Premiership debut at Villa Park but was taken to hospital in Ipswich after breaking his knee.

Nilis collided with Ipswich and England goalkeeper Richard Wright in the fourth minute of a 2-1 win for the Birmingham club.

The 33 year old Belgian international was diagnosed with a double fracture of his right knee cap and could miss the rest of the season.

Villa failed earlier in the day with an £8 million offer for Real Madrid star Steve McManaman. Real tried to sell the England international last month and told the midfielder that he was no longer part of the squad since the signing of Luis Figo. Real relented though and included McManaman in their squad of twenty five for the Champions League this season. McManaman has already refused a return to the Premiership with Middlesbrough.