Although this is a Villa blog, I will occasionally focus on something unrelated. Tonight it’s the somewhat local and very sad news about USA & Sochaux striker Charlie Davies who was involved in a fatal car accident during the early hours of this morning in Washington DC.

Charlie spent several hours in surgery this afternoon and evening for a fractured tibia and femur, which both had titanium rods inserted, plus an elbow and facial fractures and also a lacerated bladder. Recovery from this level of injury would be expected to take 6 to 12 months and require extensive rehabilitation.

It will no doubt be extremely disappointing to learn that he’s unlikely to be able to take part in the World Cup next year so soon after qualification. In fact, it’s unknown at this stage whether the injuries are career ending. Here’s hoping they are not.

Charlie is a raw talent with bags of speed and he reminds me a lot of Gabby Agbonlahor. He’s a regular on Twitter and part of a new generation of player who are using technology to interact with the fans giving us an insight into their life behind the scenes.

Recently, he took advantage of regular roommate Stuart Holden leaving his Blackberry behind to Tweet a number of flattering updates about himself, much to Holden’s embarrassment when he discovered the prank. He’s also very close with Hull’s on loan striker Jozy Altidore – another prolific user of Twitter.

Tragically, one passenger in the vehicle, 22 year old Ashley Roberta, lost her life in the accident. The status of the third person in the car, I’m presuming the driver, is unknown at this time.

I’m sure all our thoughts will be with everyone involved and connected to this tragic accident, especially the friends and family of the young lady who died. Charlies Davies will be in a place none of us would ever wish to be right now since he’s lost a close friend and is possibly staring at a bright career hanging in the balance at such a tender age.

Hopefully you’ll join with me in wishing the US team all the best in the game against El Salvador, I’m sure they’ll have a lot on their minds, but will want to give a performance on Charlie’s behalf. To Charlie, I wish the speediest of recoveries and remain hopeful that he’ll not only play again, but will make the plane to South Africa so we can see that stanky leg on the world’s biggest stage!!

Get well soon Charlie!!