Football in Brief: Painful end to Beckham's season

David Beckham's season ended painfully in California on Sunday night as he was injured and his Los Angeles Galaxy side lost 3-0 to Dallas in their Major League Soccer Western Conference championship game.

The England midfielder, who recently returned from an Achilles tendon problem, strained his groin early in the game, but played on until the end.

It was the 35-year-old Beckham's fifth game on his return from the Achilles injury he suffered in March while playing on loan at Milan.

Houllier dealt new blow with Dunne setback

Aston Villa have been hit by yet another injury setback with acting captain Richard Dunne suffering a recurrence of a knee problem. The Irish international is the 10th senior Villa player to join the injury list after his knee flared up during Saturday's 2-2 home draw with Manchester United.

Dunne was initially sidelined for two games in mid-September and Villa manager Gérard Houllier can ill afford anymore injury blows. Houllier said: "Richard's knee has swollen up. It is a recurring thing."