Heskey doubt for Villa

Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey is battling to be fit for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash with Manchester City at Eastlands.

The England player was substituted during the second half of the 2-2 home draw with Stoke at the weekend and had an ice pack placed on his troublesome Achilles immediately after leaving the pitch.

John Carew could be set to start his first league game since returning from a back problem last month after scoring his 10th goal of the campaign against Tony Pulis’s side.

Defender Wilfred Bouma has made a reserve-team comeback after eight months out with a dislocated ankle but he will not be considered against City when Villa will be bidding for an eighth successive away league win.

Villa (from) Friedel, Guzan, Cuellar, Knight, Davies, Luke Young, Shorey, Milner, Petrov, Barry, Ashley Young, Gardner, Reo-Coker, Salifou, Sidwell, Carew, Heskey, Agbonlahor, Delfouneso, Harewood.