O'Neill finalises his team

The Villa boss has completed his backroom staff with the arrival of fitness coach Jim Hendry from Celtic.

Hendry checked in at Bodymoor on Monday and will oversee the fitness of all the players.

"He has some pedigree - he's got all the particular qualifications," said O'Neill.

"It will be a good help because we've been lacking that since the start of the season and he'll oversee everything.

"He's got family to relocate, so we're seeing if he can settle because it's quite a move.

"This is the first time he's ever worked away from home, and his children are at an age where the education aspect comes into it, so we'll see how it goes. But he's looking forward to it."

Henry, who O'Neill inherited at Celtic, is the sixth new member of the manager's backroom team, following assistant manager John Robertson, coach Steve Walford, goalkeeping coach Seamus McDonagh, chief scout Ian Storey-Moore and scout John O'Hare.

Villa have been without a specialist fitness coach since the eve-of-season departure of Dr Steve McGregor.

O'Neill revealed Sorensen has a chance of being fit for the Saturday tea-time visit of Fulham after missing the Tottenham game with a shoulder injury.

"Thomas is doing some light training which is very encouraging," said the boss.

"I'm hoping he's fit for the weekend. That may be premature, but he trained yesterday and will again today."

O'Neill has also challenged Didier Agathe to win a longer contract. He watched the French flier in Villa's reserves' 3-2 win at West Ham last night.

Gary Cahill also completed his comeback from injury without reaction.