Preview: Aston Villa v Blackpool (Weds)

Posted Wednesday, November 10, 2010 by Setanta.com

Gabriel Agbonlahor is set to boost Aston Villa's attack for the home game with Blackpool on Wednesday.

Fellow strikers John Carew (calf) and Emile Heskey (knee) have been, and still are, missing as had Agbonlahor after a groin operation, but he should at least make the bench at Villa Park.

Youngster Nathan Delfouneso may continue in attack, but midfielder Steve Sidwell is not available after it was decided that he go ahead with an Achilles operation he had previously postponed.

Nigel Reo-Coker and Stiliyan Petrov (both knee) are also missing from the Villa midfield, so young defender Ciaran Clark may be thrust into the middle as manager Gerard Houllier battles a heavy spate of injuries.

Blackpool defender Craig Cathcart misses the trip to Birmingham with a sore knee and is to have a scan to determine the problem.

The former Manchester United man is the only player missing from the weekend squad, from which Ian Holloway chose his side for the 2-2 draw with Everton.

Aston Villa (from): Friedel, Luke Young, Collins, Dunne, Warnock, Albrighton, Clark, Bannan, Downing, Ashley Young, Delfouneso, Guzan, Ireland, Cuellar, Lichaj, Hogg, Agbonlahor, Beye.

Blackpool (from): Gilks, Kingson, Keinan, Edwards, Eardley, Taylor Fletcher, Crainey, Evatt, Adam, Vaughan, Varney, Ormerod, Campbell, Grandin, Harewood, Southern, Carney, Basham, Euell, Sylvestre, Demontagnac, Phillips.