Mills set for City recall

Danny Mills could make his first start of the Stuart Pearce era as Manchester City look to enhance their UEFA Cup hopes at the expense of Aston Villa.

The former England international has been an ever-present on the substitutes’ bench since Pearce replaced Kevin Keegan as manager in March but with Richard Dunne ruled out following ankle surgery, Mills is expecting a recall.

Eighteen-year-old Nedum Onuoha is set to switch from the full-back role to move in alongside skipper Sylvain Distin in his preferred central defensive position as City attempt to extend their unbeaten run to seven matches.

Provisional squad: James, Weaver, Mills, Onouha, Distin, Sommeil, Jordan, Thatcher, Croft, S Wright-Phillips, McManaman, Reyna, Flood, Barton, Sibierski, Musampa, Fowler, Macken, B Wright-Phillips.