Villa boss Martin O’Neill hopes fit-again striker Emile Heskey can put his niggling injuries behind him and finish the season with a flourish.

Heskey is expected to start alongside Gabby Agbonlahor against Burnley at Villa Park tomorrow after recovering from the knock which saw him forced off at half-time against Crystal Palace last week.

The England international, who has four goals this term, has endured a stop-start campaign due to nagging injuries and has rarely been able to complete 90 minutes this term.

O’Neill has recently spoken of the need for his players to ease the goalscoring burden on Agbonlahor’s shoulders and the Villa manager concedes both Heskey and fellow forward John Carew need to “build up a head of steam”.

“Emile completed a couple of games recently which was psychologically good for him,” said O’Neill. “But I take the point you need to build up a head of steam.

“It’s a bit like John Carew as well. Every minute you get on the pitch is vital. You can even transfer it to Fabian Delph who at this stage got a number of games in relatively quick succession but is still finding the going tough in the last 20 minutes because of this match fitness.

“And if it can happen to one so young it can certainly happen to people who are more mature so I agree they need to get that head of steam up.”

Tomorrow marks the start of a huge week for supporters with another home game against Crystal Palace on Wednesday before next Sunday’s Carling Cup final against Manchester United .

O’Neill has praised fans for continuing to turn up “in their droves” and believes their Wembley trip is a just reward.

“They have turned up in droves and you can ask no more in this day and age when money is hard to find,” he said.

“Tickets for Wembley are very expensive – even the cheapest ones. They are coming here for Burnley, then there’s a Cup game on Wednesday, it’s hard to keep going.

“So if you’re asking me about fans playing their part, they have done already. For me to demand any more would be ludicrous.

“I really hope when Wembley comes around they have a really fine day.”