Heskey and Young banned for Villa

Aston Villa will be without key duo Emile Heskey and Ashley Young through suspension for the Barclays Premier League derby at Birmingham on Sunday.

Striker Heskey will serve the second game of a three-match ban for his straight red card against Sunderland 10 days ago.

Winger Young is suspended for one match after he was sent off for two bookable offences in the FA Cup win at Sheffield United last weekend.

On-loan Tottenham defender Kyle Walker is expected to make his league debut for Villa after scoring against the Blades.

Villa have no new injury concerns with full-back Luke Young and Fabian Delph (both knee) are not yet ready to return.

Young could return to action within a fortnight after a visit to the specialist confirmed no serious damage.

Provisional squad: Friedel, Marshall, Walker, Clark, Collins, Dunne, Cuellar, Albrighton, Downing, Petrov, Reo-Coker, Pires, Bannan, Agbonlahor, Carew, Hogg, Herd, Lichaj.