Sidwell back for Blues clash

Aston Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell will return after suspension and is included in the squad to face former club Chelsea in the Premier League clash at Villa Park.

Sidwell was banned for the midweek UEFA Cup meeting with CSKA Moscow after being sent off against Hamburg before Christmas.

Striker Emile Heskey and winger James Milner are battling to recover from Achilles and thigh problems respectively. Skipper Martin Laursen, Carlos Cuellar, Wilfred Bouma and Nigel Reo-Coker are still ruled out.

Team (from): Friedel, Guzan, Gardner, Davies, Knight, L Young, Shorey, Milner, Petrov, Barry, Sidwell, A Young, Osbourne, Salifou, Agbonlahor, Heskey, Carew, Delfouneso, Harewood.