Gabriel Agbonlahor could be restored to the Aston Villa line-up as they look to end a run of eight games without a win in all competitions against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Left-back Wilfred Bouma could return after an eight-month absence for Aston Villa in Sunday’s Premier League clash at leaders Manchester United.

Striker John Carew is pushing hard for a return to the Aston Villa starting line-up against Liverpool on Sunday after convincing manager Martin O’Neill he is back to full fitness following a back problem.

Martin O’Neill has had no talks with Aston Villa owner and chairman Randy Lerner about a new contract.

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill could hand Wilfred Bouma a shock call-up in to his squad for Sunday’s Barclays Premier League game against visiting Tottenham.

Aston Villa left-back Wilfred Bouma has made a return to competitive action after eight months on the sidelines through injury.

Aston Villa left-back Wilfred Bouma is finally set to make his competitive comeback after six months out of action with a dislocated ankle.

Aston Villa are to closely monitor the fitness of central defender Curtis Davies after the recurrence of a shoulder problem.

Gareth Barry will regain the captaincy of Aston Villa in the absence of Martin Laursen after the Danish defender was ruled out for two months.

Defender Wilfred Bouma has admitted he could be back in action for Aston Villa before Christmas as he continues his rehabilitation from an ankle injury.

Wilfred Bouma is set to remain with the Aston Villa for the foreseeable future after he signed a new two-year contract with the club.

Curtis Davies has vowed to battle for his first-team place at Aston Villa after the arrival of Carlos Cuellar from Rangers.

Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of left-back Nicky Shorey from Reading on a three-year deal with Middlesbrough defender Luke Young expected to join him imminently.

JOHN CAREW believes it is a 50-50 bet that Gareth Barry remains with Aston Villa.

Ashley Young used his lightning pace to ease Aston Villa through their Intertoto Cup encounter with Odense – but it was the speed with which he arrived after Wilfred Bouma got injured that he found hardest to cope with.

Manager Martin O’Neill has admitted that Liverpool target Gareth Barry could play some part in the second leg of Aston Villa’s Intertoto Cup third round tie with Odense at Villa Park tomorrow.

HOLLAND were every bit as professional as coach Marco van Basten promised they would be as they outclassed Romania to send Victor Piturca’s side home and hand Italy a Euro 2008 lifeline.

GARETH BARRY is set to meet Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner in an attempt to persuade the England midfielder not to join Liverpool.

Defender Olof Mellberg will make his final appearance for Aston Villa in Sunday’s Premier League clash with West Ham at Upton Park.

Defender Olof Mellberg will make his final appearance for Aston Villa in Sunday’s Barclays Premier League clash with West Ham at Upton Park.

REGARDLESS of whether Aston Villa make it into Europe this season, Patrick Berger will not be around to take part.

A second-half brace from Luis Antonio Valencia handed Wigan the win they needed to confirm their Barclays Premier League status as Aston Villa failed to keep the pressure on Everton in the battle for the UEFA Cup.

Olof Mellberg, Aston Villa’s long-serving defender, is in danger of missing his Villa Park farewell against Wigan tomorrow after being laid low by illness.

THEY will probably be complaining about the extra workload and inconvenience of having to play on a Thursday night by the time they reach the group stages in the autumn.

Everton had Leon Osman back in their midfield after a hip injury, which allowed skipper Phil Neville to revert to full-back with Tony Hibbert dropping to the bench from the side beaten by Chelsea last time out.

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill has no fresh injury worries ahead of the vital Premier Leauge clash with Everton at Goodison Park.

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill will pull out all the stops to keep hold of his leading assets including in-demand skipper Gareth Barry.

MARTIN O’NEILL raised more than a few eyebrows when he purchased Ashley Young for £9 million (€11.4m) just over a year ago, but the doubters have suddenly fallen silent.

Aston Villa midfielder Craig Gardner could play some part in the derby clash with Birmingham on Sunday after returning to full training.

Aston Villa striker John Carew is battling to be fit for Saturday’s Barclays Premier League clash at already relegated Derby.

THIS TIME last year Bolton Wanderers were coasting towards a UEFA Cup place and cocking a snook at the aristocrats. Now they are heading inexorably for the Championship without even a whimper.

Top scorer John Carew is winning his battle to be fit for Aston Villa’s Premier League home clash with Bolton tomorrow.

Aston Villa defender Olof Mellberg is poised to return to the side for Saturday evening’s clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Craig Gardner is ready to help Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill out of a right-back dilemma by being fit for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League visit of Sunderland.

SPARE a thought for poor Scott Carson, who once again has much to think about and much he would like to forget. Not only was England manager Fabio Capello present to witness yet more shortcomings on Saturday, he also had to watch David James, his biggest rival for an England shirt, excel at the other end.

Portsmouth 2 Aston Villa 0

Aston Villa have doubts over striker Gabriel Agbonlahor and right-back Craig Gardner for tomorrow’s trip to Portsmouth.

Aston Villa central defender Zat Knight is poised to make his first start of 2008 in tomorrow’s rearranged Barclays Premier League match against Middlesbrough.

Aston Villa defender Olof Mellberg looks like winning his battle to be fit for tomorrow’s clash with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium after returning to training following an ankle injury which forced him to miss the win at Reading.

TWELVE MONTHS is a long time in football. Just ask Kevin Doyle. This time last year the Royals forward was making a challenge for the Premier League’s golden boot and helping his side in an unlikely push for a UEFA Cup spot.

Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor is winning his battle to be fit for the clash with Reading.

Aston Villa 4 Newcastle 1

Aston Villa’s leading scorer Gabriel Agbonlahor is a major doubt for the Saturday lunchtime clash with Kevin Keegan’s side.

JIMMY BULLARD was on the receiving end of a beating from his own team mate in midweek, but he was the one handing one out to Aston Villa.