Wilfred Bouma could return for Aston Villa after an eight-month absence in Sunday's Premier League match at Old Trafford. The Dutch international came through a third reserve team run-out against Tottenham on Monday night after dislocating his ankle against Odense in an Intertoto Cup tie in late July.

Before the international break, Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill had suggested Bouma "might need another game or two" before he could be considered for a first-team call-up and the left-back has now played two full games for the reserves in the past week. Bouma's availability would enable O'Neill to bring some balance to his back four who suffered in the 5-0 defeat at Liverpool in their last game.

Right-back Luke Young has switched positions in an attempt to fill the gap left by Bouma, as Nicky Shorey appears to have fallen out of favour at Villa, despite being signed just last summer. That has left the team exposed at right-back and makeshift defender Nigel Reo-Coker's limitations have frequently been exposed. The patched-up defence, who have also missed the influence of injured skipper and central defender Martin Laursen, have conceded 18 goals during an eight-game run in all competitions without a victory.

O'Neill looks certain to be without striker Emile Heskey at Old Trafford after his withdrawal from the England squad to face the Ukraine tomorrow night with a hamstring injury. Gabriel Agbonlahor could earn a recall to partner John Carew after being left out of the starting team that faced Liverpool, providing he recovers from an injury that prompted his withdrawal from the England under-21 squad. Agbonlahor has scored only once for Villa since mid-December and came in for abuse from fans during the last home game with Tottenham.