Warnock hoping for Villa return

Aston Villa left-back Stephen Warnock is winning his battle to be fit for Sunday’s Premier League clash at Portsmouth.

Warnock picked up a leg injury in the second half of Villa’s 2-2 draw against Everton at Villa Park on Wednesday.

Villa manager Martin O’Neill is optimistic that Warnock will recover in time.

However, he has got Luke Young on alert for a call-up if former Blackburn Rovers defender Warnock is ruled out.

Providing Warnock is fit, O’Neill is set to retain the side that started against Everton.

Midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker, who has been sidelined since January by an ankle injury, has a chance of being in the squad after coming through two reserve team matches.

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