Agbonlahor set to be fit for derby

Villa are optimistic derby-day goal king Gabby Agbonlahor will be fit to lead the line at home to local rivals Wolves.

Agbonlahor, who has already scored against Birmingham and Wolves this season and Albion last term, was forced off late on in Tuesday's win at Wigan with a groin problem.

Manager Martin O'Neill said: "Gabby wasn't feeling too bad on Wednesday, he felt a bit better. At this moment we've decided not to run with a scan and that's encouraging.

"He has scored against Wolves and Birmingham and against West Bromwich Albion last season. I'm hoping that will still be a lucky omen for us coming to Saturday afternoon."

O'Neill is toying with the idea of regularly rotating Agbonlahor, John Carew and Emile Heskey between now and the end of the season to keep his forwards fresh, after useing all three combinations in the last four games.

The manager said: "It's great we have the ability to alternate. Both John and Emile are in their thirties now, while Gabby up until a fortnight ago was the one who carried the workload for most of the season."

Last month O'Neill challenged Heskey and Carew to finish the season with a flourish and has been pleased with their reaction.

The Villa boss said: "John's hat-trick against Reading was very well timed. It helped carry us through in the Cup tie and will have given him a big boost of confidence. You could see that from his game against Wigan.

"He was pretty tired by the end and I thought he worked his hardest for a long time. Emile played splendidly against Manchester United at Wembley. It was one of his best matches for us."