Davies has expressed his frustration at having to miss out on Villa's push for a European spot with the Achilles injury which will sideline him for at least six months.

The central defender will not be back until at least September after suffering the setback against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

But Davies is already channelling his thoughts on making a return to action as soon as possible with Martin O'Neill's side.

Davies said: "I just lay there frustrated because I knew I was facing a long time out. I'm gutted to be ruled out at such a vital time.

"It's going to be a shame to miss the run-in but that's football and you have to accept that.

"I knew straight away what it was. I'd just turned to get back into my position. I didn't do anything too strenuous and I felt and heard the Achilles pop.

"I've been told by someone who's done it before that you hear it. It's like a gunshot. Zat Knight even heard it from right-back and I knew exactly what it was straight away.

"Look at Eduardo last week. A nothing tackle has caused him a really bad leg break and he's out for a while. Me, I was nowhere near anyone and I'm out for a while.

"That happens in football. Sometimes you get away with things and sometimes you don't."

Davies added: "It doesn't actually feel too bad. Even at the time I think Roddy Macdonald (Villa club doctor) was quite surprised that I could look him in the eye and tell him that I'd popped my Achilles.

"There's not much pain there, just a few aches where the blood flow isn't quite right. Other than that I'm fine and I just want to focus on getting back."

Davies would dearly like to be available again as part of a Villa side competing in Europe during the 2008-2009 campaign.

He said: "It's a big ask for us to stay up there with Everton and Liverpool but I know the boys will give it a good shot. We've just got to keep going and push for that fourth place.

"Hopefully, the rest of the squad can stay fit and we can give it a good go for the rest of the season. It would be nice to come back into a side in Europe - maybe the Champions League group stages!"

Davies' permanent move from West Bromwich Albion to Villa - he is currently on loan at Villa Park - will not be affected by the injury.

Davies moved from the Hawthorns to Villa in August for an initial season-long loan before being due to make the switch long term this summer in a £8million deal.

But the deal is set in stone and will not delay Davies from becoming a full-time Villa player in May.

Baggies manager Tony Mowbray confirmed: "Is the Curtis Davies deal affected in any way by his injury? No."