Last Updated: Wed, 13 Feb 2013 11:00
Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert hopes the two week break from action will clear up the club's injury concerns.
Villa's next game is a trip to Arsenal on February 23, by which time Lambert hopes a few minor injuries have been resolved.
Lambert's side moved out of the Premier League's bottom three with a 2-1 win over West Ham on Sunday but Charles N'Zogbia suffered a knee injury against the Hammers.
Striker Gabriel Agbonlahor and midfielder Karim El Ahmadi missed the win over West Ham with a sickness bug and Lambert hopes the trio are fit for the trip to Arsenal.
"We have got this breather now after what has been a hectic period," Lambert said. "There have also been lads away with their various national teams. It will give them a break.
"It will also let people like Gabby and Charles recover from illness and injury. Charles has hurt his knee. He has this fortnight's break so hopefully he will be okay while Ron Vlaar also took a knock.
"There has also been a sickness bug at the club. Ashley Westwood had it during last week and Gabby and Karim had it the night before the West Ham game and on the day of the match.
"It was a blow but hopefully everyone will be okay and fit for the Arsenal game."
Lambert also moved to praise his squad for their collective attitude, even when results haven't gone their way.
He added: "They have taken a lot of knocks and a lot of criticisms but we've never let their heads go down. That's important.
"We've played well in some recent games, the first half at West Brom, the second half against Newcastle, and at Everton we were excellent. From mid-table to the bottom, there is little in it and another eight or nine teams are doing the same as what we are doing."
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