ANDY TOWNSEND is anxiously hoping there is no reaction to his foot problem after sending Aston Villa into the last eight of the Coca-Cola Cup.

Townsend returned after a three-match absence to score the only goal against Queens Park Rangers, but admitted afterwards:

"My heel is still a bit sore and is still a wee bit of a problem."

Midfielder Townsend missed three Premiership matches and also the Republic of Ireland's final European Championship qualifier in Portugal because of the trouble which has plagued him for a large part of the season.

He is determined to help the Irish in their play-off match against Holland at Anfield on December 13, but is clearly still concerned about his injury.

"I am hoping it's not going to come back with a vengeance, I really am," he said. "But hopefully, I've got over the worse and it's going to go away. I was pleased to make the full 90 minutes against QPR."

Townsend, who helped Villa win the Coca-Cola Cup against Manchester United at Wembley two seasons ago, is wearing a special insole in his right boot to counter his discomfort but he showed there is definitely nothing wrong with his left foot with a superb goal, only his second of the season.

And he applauded Dwight Yorke for the way he set up the 60th-minute strike, saying:

"Dwight's strength is to hold it up which he did before giving me the chance."

Five minutes later, Yorke rattled the Rangers bar, but apart from that it was a disappointing affair.

Ray Wilkins' men have not won in their last seven Premiership games and have now failed to score in five successive away games.

Player-boss Wilkins, however, says he is not worried about scoring goals only keeping them out. He added: "We defended too deep for their goal. But it was a good strike from Andy full credit to him." .