Harewood's chance to shine

Marlon Harewood will start against Zilina - but Villa boss Martin O'Neill admits he "doesn't know what the future holds" for the striker.

Harewood, along with Brad Guzan, Nicky Shorey and Moustapha Salifouhave all been confirmed as starters for the UEFA Cup visit of their Slovaks, while Craig Gardner, Zat Knight and Nigel Reo-Coker are also likely to start.

It will be Harewood's first Villa start for two months - when he scored in the 1-1 draw with Litex Lovech - with all of his five Premier League appearances this season coming as a subsitute.

His absence from the side has only fuelled speculation the number nine will be shown the door in January - with Albion and Stoke among his reported suitors - and the Villa manager remained non-comittal on the subject.

O'Neill said: "The speculation is not coming from me. I just don't know. I don't want to be making absolute statements and then finding out you are eating a fair dose of humble pie about two days later."

In the meantime, Harewood will be charged with the task of gunning Villa into the last 32, as they search for the point required to guarantee qualification.

The Villa boss said: "I don't want to be putting undue pressure on him but he will come in,. He is fresh now and is raring to go. His enthusiasm should be at its peak."