No place for Young

Watford striker Ashley Young was left out of the line-up to face Aston Villa ahead of his expected move to the midlands club.

The 21-year-old is expected to pledge his future to Villa in the next 24 hours.

Hornets boss Aidy Boothroyd made four changes in total from the side beaten 3-0 at home to Liverpool with fit-again Danny Shittu, Damien Francis, Tamas Priskin and Will Hoskins drafted into the side.

Villa, bidding to end a run of 11 league games without a win, fielded an attack-minded line-up with Juan Pablo Angel restored to the attack alongside Milan Baros with Gabriel Agbonlahor expected to operate on the right flank.

Martin O’Neill gave a debut to on-loan Manchester United defender Phil Bardsley at right-back.

Aston Villa: Sorensen, Bardsley, Mellberg, Cahill, Bouma, Davis, McCann, Barry, Agbonlahor, Angel, Baros.

Subs: Taylor, Samuel, Hughes, Ridgewell, Berger.

Watford: Foster, Mariappa, Mackay, Shittu, Stewart, Smith, Mahon, Francis, Bouazza, Priskin, Hoskins.

Subs: Lee, DeMerit, Henderson, Powell, Ashikodi.

Referee: P Walton (Northamptonshire)