Moustapha Salifou in line for debut

Dec 20 2007 By Bill Howell

TOGO midfielder Moustapha Salifou could make his Villa first-team debut over the festive period.

The January arrival from Switzerland has yet to figure in the Premier League after initial work permit problems and then having to catch up on his fitness.

Manager Martin O'Neill has relied heavily on a small squad so far this season but will need as many bodies as possible over a hectic Christmas and New Year programme.

"I want competition in the middle of the field," he said. "Moustapha Salifou is doing very well and his fitness has improved immensely.

"He's done exceptionally well in the reserve team and he won't be too far away, so that's encouraging.

"We also had Isaiah Osbourne back on Saturday and there's competition for places, which is encouraging despite the size of the squad."

Osbourne was brought back into the fold at Sunderland due to Curtis Davies' broken nose.

Villa's only other injury is Stiliyan Petrov, whose ham-string injury should clear up by the weekend.

"We've been lucky with injuries, but we have four games in quick succession and I'm sure a few players will be used," said O'Neill.

"It would be hard to sustain the squad we have with the sort of injuries other clubs have had but this sort of thing is always just around the corner.

"It's part and parcel of the game but it's something we want to address in January."