Aaron Hughes admitted that the virus that has affected David O'Leary's depleted squad this week did have an effect on Villa's overall performance.
"I did not train properly until Thursday," said Hughes. "And I was just glad to get through the 90 minutes more than anything. Kevin Phillips was the same."
Worst affected of all has been loan man James Milner, who was at Villa Park on Saturday but purely in a watching capacity as he is still undergoing blood tests.
"James has something similar to glandular fever," said Hughes. "And we miss him as he's been a good player for us all season. The sooner we get him back the better."
Hughes was already more familiar with Milner than most, having been part of the same Newcastle United side last season. And nothing the young York-shireman has achieved this season has surprised him.
"It's good to have him in front of me because he works very hard as well," said Hughes. "Then when you give him the ball, he has the ability to go at people and make something happen.
"Since he's come down here, he's improved. That will only keep coming with the more games he plays. And if we get him in the summer at it would be a great signing for us. He's one of the top young players in the country, the more games he plays the better he'll get."
Another player affected by the virus was Lee Hendrie, whose promising fifth Premiership start of the season was curtailed before the hour mark when he went off feeling unwell.
"I was running one minute and I just felt dizzy," said Hendrie, who is expected to move on this summer if the right offer comes in. "I don't know what happened. I thought I was going to faint.
"It was a bit scary really and before I knew it, I was walking back to the changing rooms.
"It has never happened before. I don't know what it was. It wasn't a lack of fluids. I've probably drunk that much Lucozade, there might be too much fluid.
"The doctor said it was down to not playing that many games and that my blood pressure had gone up a little bit.
"But he also said it might have been the effect of the virus I had. I do feel a bit tired. And I said to the doctor 'that just tops off the season for me.'"
