Villa duo set for cup return

Aston Villa have received a double Carling Cup semi-final boost with striker Darius Vassell and midfielder Gavin McCann expected to be fit for the clash at Bolton.

Vassell and McCann missed the 2-0 home defeat by Arsenal on Sunday with hamstring and knee problems respectively.

But the duo returned to full training today and, although they will have late fitness tests, Villa manager David O’Leary is confident they can return to the starting line-up.

It means that Villa will have a complete clean bill of health as they aim to reach their first major final since defeating Leeds United 3-0 in the 1996 League Cup final.

Villa (from): Sorensen, Delaney, Mellberg, Johnsen, Samuel, Hendrie, Hitzlsperger, Whittingham, Barry, Allback, Angel, McCann, Vassell, Postma, De la Cruz, Ridgewell, Crouch.