Mellberg boost for Villa

Aston Villa are set to be boosted by the return of skipper Olof Mellberg for tomorrow night’s clash with Manchester City.

Swedish international central defender Mellberg has missed the last five games with a hamstring strain.

He came through 45 minutes for the reserves against Manchester United on Saturday and could replace either Liam Ridgewell or Gary Cahill at the centre of defence.

Villa have an injury doubt over defender Aaron Hughes who suffered a knee injury at Wigan last week.

But midfielders Steven Davis (hamstring) and Lee Hendrie (gashed foot) are definitely missing along with the long-term casualties, central defender Mark Delaney (knee) and midfielder Patrik Berger (calf), who have been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Provisional squad: Sorensen, Taylor, Hughes, Cahill, Mellberg, Ridgewell, Bouma, Samuel, Milner, McCann, Barry, Baros, Phillips, Angel, Moore, Whittingham, De La Cruz, Gardner, Agbonlahor, Djemba-Djemba.