Villa boss unlikely to risk Dunne in Millwall cup clash

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has hinted that he is unlikely to throw Richard Dunne back into action for tonight’s FA Cup visit to Millwall.

Scarred by their League Cup humiliation at the hands of Bradford City, the embattled Premier League side are badly in need of the experience of the Irish international who has been sidelined with hip and groin problems since the European Championship finals in the summer.

Although Dunne has been put on standby for Ireland’s friendly against Poland next month, Giovanni Trapattoni has also said he will not risk the player unnecessarily ahead of the resumption of World Cup qualification in March.