Aston Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell is back in contention after injury for the Premier League clash at home to Manchester City on Monday.

The former Chelsea player has been unavailable for the last two games against Cardiff in the Carling Cup and Blackburn in the league because of a thigh problem, but he has now resumed training.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill has no fresh injury worries as he prepares to welcome back Gareth Barry, who spent 12 years at Villa before his £12million summer move to Eastlands. Former City skipper Richard Dunne will face his old team-mates for the first time since his £6million switch to Villa in August.

Kick-off is at 8pm.

Aston Villa (from): Friedel, Cuellar, Collins, Dunne, Warnock, Milner, Petrov, Delph, Young, Agbonlahor, Carew, Sidwell, Heskey, Guzan, Shorey, Beye, Reo-Coker, Gardner, Delfouneso.