Agbonlahor ‘touch-and-go’

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The Villa forward is “touch-and-go” for the Liverpool game at Wembley after injuring a hamstring during last weekend’s win at Tottenham.

Agbonlahor and Christian Benteke have formed an effective partnership since Sherwood’s arrival, scoring 11 goals between them in the past seven games.

And the manager is reluctant to rule out a player he believes can cause Liverpool real problems if fit.

He said: “Agbonlahor and Benteke work together. Gabby has great pace and we’re looking to utilise that if he’s fit. The Liverpool backline will certainly take a couple of steps back if he’s on the pitch.”

Defender Ciaran Clark is definitely out with a knee injury and Carlos Sanchez is suspended, but Ashley Westwood and Scott Sincalir are both fit.

Shay Given will resume his duties as cup goalkeeper after impressing against Leicester and West Brom in previous rounds.

“Shay Given will play,” Sherwood said. “He’s done nothing wrong. He’s a big reason why we’re in this semi-final, with the saves he made against Leicester.”

The Villa boss goes to Wembley in confident mood on the back of that White Hart Lane success, and he said: “I hope the fans are looking forward to the game. We’ve picked up some good results recently. It’s definitely a game we can win.

“We’ll do everything we possibly can to make sure we’re back there in May. I don’t want my players to have any regrets after the game.”