Team news ahead of Sunday afternoon's Premier League clash between Aston Villa and Manchester City at Villa Park (kick-off: 4pm).

Aston Villa are hopeful of having a trio of players back to face City.

Striker Gabriel Agbonlahor (back and hamstring), winger Marc Albrighton (thigh) and central defender James Collins (calf) have all made good progress towards fitness during the past week.

Midfielder Chris Herd (ankle) remains the only long-term casualty. Striker Robbie Keane will make his final home appearance before returning to the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany (knee) should return.

Midfielder Samir Nasri is also in contention after leaving the field with a groin injury in last week's defeat of Fulham.

Striker Mario Balotelli is again missing as he completes a four-match suspension while midfielder Yaya Toure and defender Kolo Toure are still at the African Nations Cup.

Aston Villa (from): Given, Guzan, Hutton, Lichaj, Collins, Cuellar, Dunne, Warnock, Baker, Bannan, Clark, Petrov, Ireland, Albrighton, Bent, Keane, Agbonlahor, Heskey, N'Zogbia, Weimann, Marshall, Johnson, Gardner, Stevens.

Man City (from): Hart, Pantilimon, Richards, Zabaleta, Lescott, Kompany, Savic, Clichy, Kolarov, Rekik, Milner, Nasri, Johnson, Barry, De Jong, Hargreaves, Pizarro, Silva, Dzeko, Aguero, Razak, Suarez.