Martin O'Neill set to face former foe Steve Bruce

Dec 28 2007 By Bill Howell

ASTON Villa manager Martin O'Neill admits it will be strange seeing Steve Bruce in the home dug-out at Wigan, just seven weeks after Villa were beating his Blues side at St Andrew's.

Bruce ended his six-year stint at Blues earlier this month when he decided to switch to the JJB Stadium where he has quickly engineered a revival.

"It will be really strange seeing Steve Bruce managing another club," O'Neill said. "I've only managed Aston Villa once against Birmingham City but Stevie was something of a permanent fixture around St Andrew's.

"So it will be very strange to see him in another dugout just a few weeks after he was at Birmingham."

O'Neill is looking forward to catching up with an old friend in the shape of former Blues striker Emile Heskey, who enjoyed a prolific career for him at Leicester City.

Heskey is believed to be ready to return tomorrow after an ankle injury picked up in the recent 5-3 win over Blackburn.

"It will also be strange to see Emile Heskey probably come up against us," continued O'Neill. "It's not the first time I've come across him since he was at Leicester with me.

"When Celtic played Liverpool in the UEFA Cup quarter final, Emile played for Liverpool. So I know all about him and he will present a big test for us.

"Emile was in very good form before he got injured and he's a really good player.

"I heard he's got a really good record against Villa."