Bouma back for Villa

Aston Villa’s defensive problems were eased with Wilfred Bouma returning to the starting line-up for the first time since suffering a knee injury in December.

Bouma’s availability allowed Jlloyd Samuel to switch to right-back while Aaron Hughes, who passed a late fitness test on a calf injury, partnered Liam Ridgewell at the heart of the back four.

Kevin Phillips was restored up front alongside Milan Baros with Juan Pablo Angel relegated to the substitutes’ bench.

Pompey – without a league win in 2006 – gave a first start of the season up front to Svetoslav Todorov, while Gary O’Neil, Linvoy Primus and Andy Griffin all passed late fitness tests.

Villa were searching for their first home win since Boxing Day while their opponents have been beaten in their last eight Barclays Premiership games away from Fratton Park.

Aston Villa: Sorensen, Samuel, Hughes, Ridgewell, Bouma, Milner, Davis, McCann, Barry, Phillips, Baros. Subs: Taylor, Hendrie, Angel, De la Cruz, Moore.

Portsmouth: Kiely, Griffin, Primus, O’Brien, Taylor, Routledge, Pedro Mendes, Davis, O’Neil, LuaLua, Todorov. Subs: Guatelli, Priske, Karadas, Koroman, Songo’o.

Referee: M Dean (Wirral)