Heskey back for Villa

Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey has recovered from a knee problem and will be fit to face his former club Wigan at Villa Park on Saturday.

Heskey was ruled out of last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at West Brom and was replaced by Gabriel Agbonlahor.

But he has returned to training and is in contention to face the Latics.

Caretaker manager Gary McAllister said: “Emile has come back in and trained the past couple of days.

“He had a bit of fluid on his knee which had caused a bit of swelling but that has settled down.”

Midfielder Jean Makoun will again not be risked with the dead leg which prevented him from facing Albion.

McAllister said: “Jean has a dead leg and has been feeling it for a while now so we pulled him out of training.

“He has upped his training this week but he’s only been with the physios and not joined in with the full group.

“We’re just going to hold him back again so he won’t be available.”

Defender Richard Dunne has recovered from a similar knock which led to him being substituted early in the second period against the Baggies.