Villa boss Martin O’Neill has challenged Emile Heskey to take his opportunity at Sunderland after revealing a regular striking slot remains “up for grabs.”

The England striker is expected to make his first start in a claret and blue shirt for two months in tonight’s Carling Cup last-16 clash at the Stadium of Light.

Heskey has admitted he fears for his World Cup place should he remain benched at Villa but, after coming on to set up Gabby Agbonlahor’s goal against Wolves on Saturday, O’Neill wants the £3.5million January signing to give him a major selection headache.

O’Neill said: “I think there are positions in the team definitely up for grabs and so there should be. It’s not as if to say we’re top of the league.

“Gabby’s the one at the moment who is scoring the goals and playing very well indeed for us. Centre forwards thrive on goals but Emile’s come on, made a contribution, helped make the goal and that should give him a big boost.

“But Emile been a big player for quite some considerable time, so I would expect him to be battling and taking his opportunities.”

O’Neill is optimistic Nicky Shorey and Habib Beye will be fit for tonight’s clash.

Both full-backs sat out Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Wolves, after suffering injuries in a behind-closed doors game on Thursday, Shorey to his knee and Beye to his ankle. But the pair have now both returned to training.

O’Neill said: “They have done some training and hopefully there is no reaction, so that is pleasing. I thought it might be longer for both of them.”

“They injured themselves in Thursday’s little game we organised. Nicky hurt his knee and Habib his ankle, so they were unfit for Saturday but they trained yesterday and we will see how they are. We are hoping they will be OK.”

The manager has also been delighted with fans’ response to the club’s offer of free coach travel to Sunderland.

Having originally sold 800 tickets before the initiative was launched, Villa will now take 2,110 fans to the north-east after filling 34 coaches.

He added: “It’s an excellent gesture by the club and even more pleasing fans have taken it up.

“It’s a really expensive time with four consecutive away games and I think that was looked at, because our away support has been fantastic since I’ve been at the club and probably a long time before that.”

A convoy of more than 30 coaches was leaving the West Midlands for Sunderland today after thousands of Villa fans snapped up free travel tickets.

More than 2,000 supporters were due to head to the Stadium of Light in force to watch this evening’s Carling Cup clash.

The club has laid on 34 coaches free of charge to fans who bought match tickets in advance. The fleet was due to leave Villa Park at 2.30pm.