Phillips fit for Pompey Clash

Aston Villa are boosted by the return of striker Kevin Phillips for tomorrow night’s clash with Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

Phillips has recovered from the stomach strain that ruled him out of last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Manchester United.

Winger Nolberto Solano returns to the starting line-up after beginning the game against United on the bench.

But Villa are without midfielders Lee Hendrie and Patrik Berger, left-back JlLoyd Samuel, right-back Mark Delaney and central defender Martin Laursen.

Hendrie is serving the second game of a three-match ban that he picked up after being sent-off in the pre-season friendly against Tamworth.

Berger misses out on a return to his former club due to the thigh strain that ruled him out of the last two games.

Samuel is missing due to the knee injury he suffered at Old Trafford and he is set to be replaced by Gareth Barry.

Welsh international Delaney will be sidelined for another three weeks after undergoing surgery on the knee problem he suffered during the pre-season build-up.

Laursen is to see a specialist in America next month about his latest knee injury.

Provisional squad: Sorensen, Taylor, Hughes, Mellberg, Ridgewell, Cahill, Solano, McCann, Whittingham, Berson, Davis, Djemba-Djemba, Barry, Angel, Phillips, Moore.