Preview: A Villa v Middlesbrough March 11 2008
Aston Villa central defender Zat Knight is poised to make his first start of 2008 in Wednesday night's rearranged Barclays Premier League match against Middlesbrough.
The former Fulham player is set to replace Curtis Davies, who ruptured his Achilles during the 1-1 draw with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Makeshift right-back Olof Mellberg, bound for Juventus in the summer, is likely to be back in contention after missing the last two games with an ankle problem.
Midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker should be available despite being troubled by a back problem against the Gunners, as Villa look to close the eight-point gap on Everton and Liverpool.
Striker Jeremie Aliadiere will complete his four-match ban as Middlesbrough attempt to bounce back from their FA Cup disappointment.
The Frenchman was handed an extra game when the club's appeal against his sending-off at Liverpool was rejected by the FA as "frivolous".
Full-back Andrew Taylor is back in training after a foot injury, but will start his comeback in the reserves, while keeper Brad Jones (dislocated finger) and defender Seb Hines (knee) are sidelined.
Squads
Aston Villa: Carson, Taylor, Mellberg, Gardner, Laursen, Knight, Bouma, Agbonlahor, Reo-Coker, Barry, Petrov, Berger, Young, Carew, Maloney, Harewood, Routledge, Salifou.
Middlesbrough: Schwarzer; Turnbull; Young; Wheater; Huth; Pogatetz; Grounds; O'Neil; Arca; Rochemback; Boateng; Downing; Cattermole; Johnson; Tuncay; Mido; Alves; Lee.