O' Neill hopeful of Milner recovery

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill is optimistic winger James Milner will recover from flu to be available for tomorrow’s home encounter with Bolton.

Villa’s £12m record signing has been unable to train this week because of the virus but has shown signs in the last 24 hours of improving.

Midfielders Craig Gardner and Moustapha Salifou have been struck down by the same bug although both would only be at best substitutes against the Trotters.

Striker John Carew is still ruled out with a back problem and is now battling to be fit for the forthcoming festive programme.

Team (from): Friedel, Guzan, Cuellar, Davies, Laursen, Knight, L Young, Shorey, Milner, Petrov, Barry, Sidwell, Reo-Coker, Gardner, Osbourne, Salifou, A Young, Agbonlahor, Harewood, Delfouneso.