Gabby Agbonlahor gives Villa a timely boost

Gabby Agbonlahor has eased Villa's striking crisis after being cleared for the bench against Blackpool tonight - as Gerard Houllier received a mixed injury bulletin on his stars.

Boss Houllier has also been boosted after it emerged injured duo John Carew and Nigel Reo-Coker are set to make quicker-than-expected returns, however that has been offset by the news Steve Sidwell is set to be out until Christmas to undergo surgery on his troublesome Achilles.

Agbonlahor has been fast-tracked to a sub role for this evening's Villa Park role with Houllier having just Nathan Delfouneso to call on.

The England international has not played since limping off just 31 minutes into Houllier's reign in the win over Blackburn but the Frenchman insists he is not gambling with the forward's fitness.

"He will be on the bench," said Houllier.

"I will rush him a bit to make the bench. It is a huge boost.

"He has only played 20 minutes for me and then he had to leave in my first game against Blackburn if you remember.

"And ever since he's had the operation and he's back. I wouldn't say that he's totally fit and ready but he can be on the bench and help out if needed.

"It is not a risk, I wouldn't take a risk. Everything he does in training shows that he is OK, it is just a matter of match fitness now."

As for Carew (calf) and Reo-Coker (knee), he added: "John and Nigel are not as bad as we thought. John may be less time. It will be less than three weeks.

"I don't think he will be able to play the international against Ireland but, you never know, there could be something miraculous.

"Nigel could be back in training in two to three weeks. We thought it was a tear but it is just slight damage to the medial ligament."

Sidwell had an operation postponed last month because of Villa's midfield injury crisis but the problem has worsened.

Houllier said: "Steve Sidwell will have an operation. You remember at some stage he was about to have it and had to delay it. But his Achilles tendon has flared up again so the best thing is to do it now — as soon as possible. We will be hoping he will be back for the Christmas period."