Aston Villa striker John Carew is pushing for a recall to the starting line-up for tomorrow’s Villa Park clash against Portsmouth.

ASTON VILLA boss Martin O’Neill believes he has assembled a stronger squad than last season, claiming he “couldn’t be more pleased” with his summer signings.

Aston Villa are hoping to complete the signing of Blackburn left-back Stephen Warnock left-back in the next 24 hours.

Aston Villa defender Luke Young has flown home from his club’s pre-season trip to Spain for treatment on a persistent thigh injury.

Luke Young has hailed the qualities of fellow Aston Villa full-back Nicky Shorey, who has regained his place in the starting line-up after several months of being frozen out by manager Martin O’Neill.

Martin O’Neill admits Aston Villa have sorely missed the “big heart” of injured skipper Martin Laursen after seeing their hopes of securing Champions League football virtually disappear.

Wilfred Bouma is set to undergo further ankle surgery which will rule him out for the remainder of the season.

Aston Villa are hoping striker Gabriel Agbonlahor shakes off a virus in time to face Everton in Sunday’s home Barclays Premier League clash.

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 believes rivals Arsenal will have been “re-energised” rather than exhausted by their mid-week triumph in Rome as the battle for a spot in next season’s Champions League spot hots up.

ASHLEY YOUNG believes the Aston Villa players are “even hungrier” to clinch a Champions League spot after recharging their batteries in Dubai.

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 skipper Martin Laursen has suffered a setback in his bid to return to action after his knee problem.

Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey is battling to be fit for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash with Manchester City at Eastlands.

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

Aston Villa will return to virtually full strength for the Barclays Premier League clash at home to Stoke on Sunday.

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 midfielder Steve Sidwell will return after suspension and is included in the squad to face former club Chelsea in the Premier League clash at Villa Park.

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.

Aston Villa striker John Carew has returned to training for the first time following a long-term back problem but is unlikely to play any part at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light tomorrow.

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill has a virtual clean bill of health for tomorrow’s UEFA Cup Group F match with Ajax at Villa Park.

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill is confident winger Ashley Young will join midfielder Craig Gardner in signing a new long-term contract “sooner rather than later”.

Aston Villa midfielder Craig Gardner has signed a new four-year deal that will keep him at Villa Park until 2012.

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.

Martin O’Neill completed a major overhaul of the Aston Villa defence last night when he added full-backs Luke Young and Nicky Shorey to his squad.

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.

Portsmouth hope to sign Reading’s Nicky Shorey and Tottenham’s Younes Kaboul before Sunday’s FA Community Shield match against Manchester United at Wembley.

Nigel Reo-Coker insists Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill will have “many leaders to choose from” if he has to find a replacement for midfielder Gareth Barry as skipper.

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.

Martin O’Neill has urged Gareth Barry to remain with Aston Villa and claimed the midlands club want him more than Liverpool.

Aston Villa 1 Odense BK 0 (agg 3-2)

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.

Holland 2 Romania 0

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.

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 2 Aston Villa 2

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.