Milner set for Villa return

Aston Villa midfielder James Milner is poised to return to the side for Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final showdown with Chelsea at Wembley.

Milner sat through Villa’s 1-0 victory over Bolton on Saturday on the bench after heading into the game as a doubt with an Achilles injury.

Boss Martin O’Neill is convinced the respite will have helped the 24-year-old, and he will now be raring to go for the cup clash.

O’Neill told the Express & Star: “I’m pleased we could rest him, because I think it was probably good for him.

“It was pleasing to have won the game without him, and I’m hoping he will recover in time for next Saturday and the rest will do him good.”