Football: Weekend guide to the Premiership - Aston Villa v Coventry Last season: 3-0

MIDFIELDER MARK DRAPER returns to the Aston Villa squad after five games out following an ankle operation. Alan Thompson is in danger of missing out as he continues to struggle with an ankle injury. The Villa manager, John Gregory, has to decide whether to recall central defender Gareth Barry as his side look to end the four-match losing sequence that has seen them move from title-contenders to 66-1 outsiders in a matter of weeks. Gregory rested England Under-21 international Barry for last weekend's goalless draw at Wimbledon. Goalkeeper Mark Bosnich, who has not played since damaging a shoulder against Coventry at Highfield Road in October, is struggling to make his long-awaited return.

Coventry's former Portsmouth striker John Aloisi and their Norwegian international midfielder Trond Egil Soltvedt are on stand-by to play. Aloisi will start if Noel Whelan fails a fitness test on an injured shoulder and Soltvedt will replace George Boateng if the Dutchman is still unwell. Coventry have been beaten home and away by Villa for the last three seasons.

ASTON VILLA (from) Oakes, Watson, Scimeca, Southgate, Barry, Wright, Taylor, Hendrie, Draper, Grayson, Thompson, Merson, Dublin, Joachim, Collymore, Samuel, Vassell, Enckelman.

COVENTRY CITY (from): Hedman, Nilsson, Williams, Shaw, Burrows, Telfer, Boateng, McAllister, Froggatt, Huckerby, Whelan, Aloisi, Soltvedt, Clement, Konjic, Breen, Edworthy, Ogrizovic.

Suspensions: None.

Referee: U Rennie.