Arsenal v ASTON VILLA: Martin O'Neill hopeful on Emile Heskey

Emile Heskey is Aston Villa's biggest injury worry ahead of the crucial festive double-header away to Arsenal on Sunday and at home to Liverpool two days later. The England striker suffered a groin injury during the 1-0 home success against Stoke that kept Villa in the top four in the Barclays Premier League. Villa boss Martin O'Neill is hopeful Heskey will be fit enough for at least one of the two forthcoming games but does have a ready-made replacement in John Carew. O'Neill is unlikely to make many changes for the visit to the Emirates Stadium as Villa strive for a fifth successive league win. Down but not out: Heskey could feature at the Emirates Provisional squad: Friedel, Guzan, Luke Young, Beye, Cuellar, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Ashley Young, Petrov, Milner, Sidwell, Reo-Coker, Downing, Delph, Gardner, Agbonlahor, Heskey Carew, Clark. CLICK HERE FOR THE WEEKEND TEAM NEWS IN THE BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE