Heskey may face Sunderland

Emile Heskey could make a rare start for Aston Villa in tomorrow’s Carling Cup clash with Sunderland at The Stadium Of Light.

The England striker has struggled to displace Gabriel Agbonlahor and John Carew for much of the season, but Villa boss Martin O’Neill is likely to make changes against Steve Bruce’s side.

Second-choice goalkeeper Brad Guzan is also likely to play after featuring in the majority of cup games since joining Villa 18 month ago.

Luke Young, Fabian Delph, Nigel Reo-Coker, Nicky Shorey, Habib Beye and Craig Gardner come into contention, with O’Neill mindful of Villa having to play five games in 15 days.

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