Duo doubtful for Villa's cup game

Martin O’Neill will check on the fitness of left-back Stephen Warnock and midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker before finalising his side for tomorrow's Carling Cup quarter-final with Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

Warnock missed the 1-1 home draw with Tottenham at the weekend through illness while Reo-Coker suffered an ankle injury during the game which forced him to be substituted.

Central defender James Collins is again ruled out through a combination of groin and thigh problems.

Brad Guzan is again likely to deputise between the posts for number one Brad Friedel after saving four penalties, including three in the shoot-out, during the win at Sunderland in the previous round.

Villa (from): Friedel, Guzan, Luke Young, Beye, Dunne, Cuellar, Clark, Warnock, Milner, Petrov, Reo-Coker, Sidwell, Downing, Delph, Gardner, Ashley Young, Carew, Heskey, Agbonlahor, Delfouneso.