Source: Eurosport
Bouma Back In Contention
Left-back Wilfred Bouma could return after an eight-month absence for Aston Villa in Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash at leaders Manchester United.[LNB]The Dutch international came through a third reserve-team run-out against Tottenham on Monday night since dislocating his ankle against Odense in an Intertoto Cup clash in late July.[LNB]Villa boss Martin O'Neill had intimated before the international break that Bouma "might need another game or two" before he would come under consideration for a first-team call-up.[LNB]Now he has passed that test with flying colours after appearing for the full 90 minutes for the second team against Stoke and Tottenham in the past seven days.[LNB]Bouma's availability would enable O'Neill to bring some much-needed balance to his back four who were torn apart in a 5-0 defeat at Liverpool in their last outing.[LNB]Right-back Luke Young has switched positions to effectively fill the gap left by Bouma.[LNB]But that has left Villa exposed at right-back and Nigel Reo-Coker's limitations as a makeshift performer in that position were ruthlessly exposed at Anfield.[LNB]Villa, who has also missed the steadying influence of injured skipper and central defender Martin Laursen, have conceded 18 goals during an eight-game run in all competitions without a victory.[LNB]O'Neill looks certain to be without striker Emile Heskey at Old Trafford after his withdrawal from the England squad to face Ukraine with a hamstring injury.[LNB]Gabriel Agbonlahor could earn a recall to partner John Carew after being left out of the starting XI against the Reds, providing he recovers from a knock which prompted his withdrawal from the England Under-21 squad.[LNB]Agbonlahor has scored only once for Villa since mid-December and came in for abuse from fans during the last home game with Tottenham.[LNB]
