O'Leary's injury problems mount

Aston Villa manager David O’Leary has only 16 players to choose from for the visit of Wigan after further injury setbacks.

Wilfred Bouma (hamstring), Gary Cahill (knee) and Jlloyd Samuel (shoulder) have all been sidelined in the aftermath of the derby win over Birmingham, prompting O’Leary to include midfielder Gavin McCann and right-back Mark Delaney amongst his substitutes despite the duo not being fully fit after lengthy lay-offs.

Gareth Barry is poised to switch from midfield to left-back with Patrik Berger recalled alongside James Milner, Steve Davis and Eirik Bakke in the centre.

Provisional squad: Sorensen, Hughes, Mellberg, Ridgewell, Barry, Milner, Davis, Bakke, Berger, Moore, Phillips, McCann, Delaney, Djemba-Djemba, Angel, Taylor.