Carew winning fitness race

Top scorer John Carew is winning his battle to be fit for Aston Villa’s Premier League home clash with Bolton tomorrow.

The Norway striker, who has netted nine times this season, limped out of Saturday’s 4-0 mauling at Manchester United with a groin strain, but is making good progress.

Midfielder Craig Gardner is ruled out again by the thigh injury picked up on England Under-21 duty against Poland.

Villa boss Martin O’Neill has to decide whether to persevere with midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker at right-back or switch Olof Mellberg back to the flank.

Team (from): Carson, Taylor, Mellberg, Reo-Coker, Laursen, Knight, Bouma, Petrov, Barry, Maloney, Young, Berger, Osbourne, Salifou, Harewood, Carew, Agbonlahor.