Mellberg set for big farewell

Defender Olof Mellberg will make his final appearance for Aston Villa in Sunday’s Barclays Premier League clash with West Ham at Upton Park.

The Swedish international is joining Juventus on a three-year contract after spending the last seven seasons with Villa.

Villa manager Martin O’Neill has no fresh injury problems as his side try to make sure of a European spot – via either the UEFA Cup or the Intertoto Cup depending on results in other games involving Everton and Blackburn.

But midfielder Craig Gardner has not recovered from the thigh injury suffered when on England Under-21 duty five weeks ago.

Provisional squad: Carson, Taylor, Mellberg, Laursen, Knight, Bouma, Petrov, Reo-Coker, Barry, Young, Osbourne, Salifou, Maloney, Routledge, Carew, Agonlahor, Harewood.