Defensive crises for Villa

Aston Villa manager David O’Leary has only one available central defender in England Under-21 player Liam Ridgewell for the visit of Harry Redknapp’s struggling Portsmouth side.

Skipper Olof Mellberg is suspended while Mark Delaney (knee), Gary Cahill (ankle) and long term knee victim Martin Laursen are side-lined.

O’Leary is hoping right-back Aaron Hughes recovers from a calf strain and he will play alongside Ridgewell if he passes a late fitness test.

Striker Luke Moore, who has scored five goals in his previous four starts, has shaken off a slight leg strain as O’Leary mulls over who will partner Milan Baros in attack.

Provisional squad: Sorensen, Taylor, De la Cruz, Ridgewell, Hughes, Samuel, Milner, Hendrie, McCann, Davis, Barry, Whittingham, Djemba-Djemba, Phillips, Angel, Moore, Baros.