Gabby Agbonlahor is fit again and could make his first start this season against our Europa League opponents in this final play-off before the group stages. Although that are a few injury concerns. Richard Dunne, Luke Young and Stephen Warnock are all out for this game.

James Collins and Carlos Cuellar is fit, but they might not be risked by MacDonald and might stay with playing some of his youngsters in defense.

MacDonald might include a few younger players. “I’ve thought about throwing more of the youngsters in”

“They performed very well in a very hostile atmosphere drawing 1-1 in Vienna.”

“I’ve also thought about playing a few more of the senior players.”

This is a very big game, and after losing 6-0 against Newcastle there has to be a response from both Villa and MacDonald. I haven’t been a fan of MacDonald from day 1 and last weekend did prove that he isn’t the manager to lead out Aston Villa.

Its a very difficult match to predict and if Agbonlahor doesn’t play I don’t see us scoring goals. I predict a 0-1 win to Rapid Vienna, a bit negative but I might be proven wrong and I hope so too.

To sum up this whole game “End of story, we need Gabby”

Incase you wasnt already aware we will be covering games on Avillafan.com that features Aston Villa players so this place will still be active.

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Transfer Rumours

As I already stated there isn’t a lot to write about on this front. We have been linked with a possible move for Martin Petrov who has been released from his contract at Man City – a player I wouldn’t mind being given a short term contract.

‘Arry Redknapp is reportedly willing to offer around £10million and Robbie Keane to take Gabby Agbonlahor of us which I don’t think will be happening any time soon seeing as Gabby is one of O’Neill’s golden boys.

England v Allstars

James Milner, Stephen Warnock and Emile Heskey all featured in Englands 3-0 victory over local South African side Platinum Allstars yesterday afternoon.

All three played the second half and now many believe Heskey will be the player to start along side Wayne Rooney against the USA on Saturday.

England’s goals come from Jermaine Defoe, Joe Cole and Wayne Rooney.

This is the first time in history that Aston Villa will have three players representing England in the worlds biggest competition.

James Milner was always expected to be included in the squad because of his fantastic season, Capello’s remarks about him and of course how versatile he is.

Emile Heskey isn’t everybody’s cup of tea when it comes to Villa, let alone England but I firmly believe he brings the best out of Wayne Rooney and he will be the player that will win us the World Cup so I’m all for Emile going to South Africa.

The real surprise came when Stephen Warnock was picked instead of Everton’s Leighton Baines. Baines featured in 2 pre-world cup friendlies while Warnock didn’t feature at all and it looked certain that Warnock wouldn’t be going.

Weather we agree with Fabio or not – his squad is picked now and in ten days time we will all stand as one to support our nation.

Here is the squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham)

Defenders: Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa).

Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), James Milner (Aston Villa), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City).

Forwards: Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United).

England regular Emile Heskey is the most likely to start out of the four, as he is a favourite of Wapello’s and is most likely to start alongside Wayne Rooney.

James Milner is also in with a big chance of starting. He’s gone from strength to strength this season, from being a World Cup hopeful to a certainty on the plane for next summer’s World Cup in South Africa.

Stephen Warnock will do battle with Everton full back Leighton Baines after Wayne Bridge ruled himself out last week and Ashley Coles injury.

And then finally there’s the return to the International fold for Stewart Downing. He was out with a broken leg and this is the first time he could return to the setup. I personally believe he’s least likely to play because I still think he’s capable of so much more at Villa – but then again Fabio Capello has made no secret of how much he rates the winger.

This is how tonight’s line-up could look like if he picked all four to start:

Since Villa’s historic win up at Old Trafford earlier in the season Manchester United have only lost one league game since, and that was away at Craven Cottage.

While Villa on the other hand look solid at the back at the moment, with four clean sheets in the last four games.

Teamnews for Villa see’s Emile Heskey very doubtful with a groin problem which could see a start for John Carew, while Stephen Warnock is still out.

I wish i could say for Manchester United, Wayne Rooney is suspended but it simple isnt the case. The only player they are missing is Rio Ferdinand who will be serving his third game from his four match ban. Nemanja Vidic could play some part and play his first game in 2010.

If Villa manage a victory over the Red Devils it will be there first League double over Alex Ferguson’s side in 55 years.

Its going to be a very hard game and when you have in my opinion the best player in the World in your side, in Wayne Rooney anything is possible.

AVILLAFAN.COM Prediction: Draw

The race for the top four is really starting to hot up now with four teams all chasing the forth spot, and in Spurs and Villa, two of them take on eachother today.

The two sides met earlier on in the season and it ended up as a 2-2 draw at Villa Park.

Spurs boast a impressive home form this season which includes clean sheets in each of there last six home fixtures while Villa have won three of there last four games on the road.

Tottenham have Eidur Gudjohnson, Younes Kaboul and Kyle Walker all in the squad and could play some part in the fixture. David Bentley will continue in the starting line up at the expense of injured Aarron Lennon, while Luka Modric is looking for force is way back into the starting eleven.

Villa will welcome back John Carew who has missed the last four games with a knee injury, and he should start on the bench. Stiliyan Petrov is also likely to start despite a Achilles injury.

Stephen Warnock is the only real doubt as he is still struggling with a shin injury. Wilfred Bouma played 90 minutes in mid-week, but still doesn’t find himself on the bench as Martin O’Neill doesnt want him to rush back.

Going to be a good game with two sides who are very good at the back of late and also enjoy attacking football. This is a game that Villa must win if they want to really push for a top four spot and could climb above Spurs with a win this evening.

SKYBET Odds: Tottenham 11/10, Aston Villa 5/2, Draw 12/5

Avillafan.com Prediction: Draw.