Vassell set for start

Aston Villa striker Darius Vassell is set to start his first game since October against Middlesbrough at Villa Park tomorrow after the Barclays Premiership team were hit by a striker crisis.

Vassell, who broke his ankle against Fulham on October 23, has been put on alert to link-up with Luke Moore in attack with Juan Pablo Angel nursing an ankle problem and on-loan forward Carlton Cole back at Chelsea after picking up a knee injury.