Villa wait on Agbonlahor
Posted Saturday, March 20, 2010 by PA
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill will check on the fitness of leading scorer Gabriel Agbonlahor before finalising his line-up for the lunchtime kick-off with Wolves at Villa Park.
Agbonlahor, who has netted 14 goals this season, suffered a groin strain during latter stages of the midweek away Barclays Premier League victory over Wigan.
If he is ruled out, then Emile Heskey could return to the starting line-up alongside John Carew as Villa look to sustain their push for a Champions League spot.
Wolves welcome midfielder Dave Edwards and striker Chris Iwelumo back into their squad.
Wales international Edwards has been sidelined since undergoing ankle surgery in December after he was injured against Tottenham but made his comeback for the reserves against Arsenal on Wednesday.
Scotland international Iwelumo is back after a loan spell at Bristol City that boosted his match fitness following foot problems this season.
Manager Mick McCarthy insists his side should not fear their trip to Villa Park.
McCarthy, who plans to name an unchanged side for the sixth successive game, said: "We play well away from home. Look at how we played at Tottenham, Everton, Wigan and Stoke.
"We have had good performances away from home and that doesn't faze me at all. I don't fear going to Villa or West Ham in the game after that.
"I think with the way we are playing we are capable of getting something anywhere as our away form is pretty good."
But McCarthy does know that Villa will be a tough nut to crack, especially as Wolves will have to find a way past the imposing figure of central defender Richard Dunne.
Since his #5million move from Manchester City last summer, Dunne has helped Villa to develop the meanest defence in the top flight.
McCarthy knows all about him as he gave Dunne his debut for the Republic of Ireland in 2000 - and made an ambitious bid to sign him before he joined Villa.
With Dunne in commanding form and Villa possessing a fearsome arsenal of attacking talent, McCarthy is braced for his side's survival credentials to be tested to the limit.
He added: "Let me tell you, Dunney is fantastic.
"He is a really, really top-drawer centre-half. Martin O'Neill asked me about him and I said, 'Sign him'.
"When I knew that Dunney was going I rang him up and asked him if he would come to us.
"But I knew there was no chance. He had bigger fish to fry which was fair enough.
"He is a great lad as well. He made his Ireland debut for me in Holland and he has been great.
"Villa have got a really good defence and then they have got Ashley Young, Stewart Downing, Gabriel Agbonlahor, John Carew and Emile Heskey.
"They can get goals without even committing loads of bodies forward.
"They score from free-kicks and corners because they are a big powerful side."
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