Heskey returns to face Wigan

Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey is fit to face his former club Wigan in tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash at Villa Park.

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

But the former England player has returned to training and is in contention to face the Latics.

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

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

Gary McAllister will again deputise as caretaker manager while manager Gerard Houllier recovers from a heart problem.

Villa (provisional squad): Friedel, Walker, Collins, Dunne, Luke Young, Downing, Petrov, Bannan, Ashley Young, Agbonlahor, Bent, Marshall, Clark, Heskey, Pires, Albrighton, Delph, Reo-Coker, Cuellar, Delph, Delfouneso.