Martin O’Neill is praying for good news on Nigel Reo-Coker and Gabby Agbonlahor today with the Villa pair both doubtful for the trip to Portsmouth.

Reo-Coker is believed to be the bigger concern of the two, after limping off with a hamstring problem in Saturday’s goalless draw at Doncaster.

He and Agbonlahor, who picked up a knock at the Keepmoat Stadium, will both be assessed at the club’s Bodymoor headquarters before the team travel down to the south-coast.

O’Neill will be able to call on Luke Young, who returns from suspension, as well as £3.5m new recruit Emile Heskey, who is expected to feature at some stage.

But the Villa chief can ill afford any further absentees from a threadbare squad already shorn of the suspended Ashley Young, as well as injured trio Martin Laursen, John Carew and Freddie Bouma.

O’Neill said: “It is a big concern, there’s no doubt about it, as every player who goes down is. Ashley will be out of the side as well.

“We know that we have other people missing as well like Martin Laursen so it is definitely a concern. Gabby’s definitely got a knock.”