Villa handed Hitz boost

Aston Villa manager David O’Leary is boosted by the return of midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger for Sunday’s local derby against Birmingham City at Villa Park.

Hitzlsperger missed last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Liverpool with a thigh strain but has been able to resume training.

Fellow midfielder Gavin McCann is under treatment for a knee problem which has been troubling him for the last few weeks.

Villa are once again without midfielder Lee Hendrie. The former England international is serving the second game of a three-match ban after being sent off at Manchester City.

Northern Ireland international midfielder Steven Davis, 19, is set to retain his place in the starting line-up after impressing in the clash against Liverpool.

Provisional squad (from): Sorensen, De La Cruz, Mellberg, Delaney, Samuel, Whittingham, Solano, McCann, Barry, Angel, Cole, Davis, Berson, Hitzlsperger, Ridgewell, L Moore, S Moore, Postma.