Carew pushing for recall

Aston Villa striker John Carew is pushing for a recall to the starting line-up for tomorrow’s Villa Park clash against Portsmouth.

Carew came off the bench at Birmingham last weekend to set up Gabriel Agbonlahor’s winning goal in the 1-0 victory.

Villa boss Martin O’Neill has to decide whether to continue with Agbonlahor as a lone striker or add extra firepower to his side. He also has the option of recalling England striker Emile Heskey.

New signings Richard Dunne, James Collins and Stephen Warnock, who all made their debuts at Birmingham, will make their home bows against Portsmouth.

O’Neill has no new injury problems to contend with as Wilfred Bouma and Stewart Downing continuing their comebacks from ankle and foot problems respectively.

Team (from): Friedel, Guzan, Beye, Cuellar, Collins, Dunne, Warnock, Shorey, Milner, Sidwell, Petrov, Reo-Coker, A Young, Agbonlahor, Heskey, Carew, Albrighton, Delfouneso, Delph, Gardner, Clark, Bannan.