Taylor forced into changes

Aston Villa manager Graham Taylor will again have to ring the changes when his injury-ravaged side take on visiting Bolton on New Year’s Day.

Midfielder Mustapha Hadji and defender Ronny Johnsen are certain to be ruled out with the hamstring injuries sustained in Saturday’s 1-0 success over Middlesbrough.

Captain Steve Staunton is available after serving a one-match suspension but he is suffering from a hernia problem.

Taylor will keep his fingers crossed that striker Darius Vassell has recovered from illness while he will test the fitness of midfielder Ian Taylor (thigh) and goalkeeper Peter Enckelman (ankle).

Provisional squad: Postma, Barry, Mellberg, Wright, Samuel, Kinsella, de la Cruz, Allback, Edwards, Hitzlsperger, Angel, Dublin, Henderson, L Moore, Staunton, Vassell, Taylor, Enckelman, Ridgewell.