Carlos Cuellar and Steve Sidwell set for Aston Villa reserves run out
VILLA are set for a double boost with Carlos Cuéllar finally set to make his bow in a claret and blue shirt and Steve Sidwell returning to full fitness.
The £7.8million Spanish centre-back Cuéllar along with £4.5 million midfielder Sidwell will be in action for the reserves at Stoke City tomorrow night at the Britannia Stadium.
Cuéllar has not kicked a ball since picking up a calf injury with Rangers at the end of July.
The SPL Player of the Year and Scottish Football Writers award-winner was injured in a friendly against Raith Rovers which ruled him out the Champions League qualifiers with Kaunas.
Sidwell picked up a calf strain in training before the pre-season friendly with former club Reading at the beginning of August.
Martin O’Neill revealed that both could be in with a shout of making their competitive debuts at Tottenham on September 15.
“Both of them will play tomorrow night”, he said.
“We have have got this reserve game against Stoke, then we follow that up next Monday night with a reserve game against Tottenham at Villa Park.
“So by the time we are ready to play Tottenham in the Premier League those two lads will have come through a couple of reserve games, with a bit if luck, which will be great.”
Villa supporters will have to wait to see Brad Guzan in action however.
The £650,000 signing from Chivas USA was on the bench for the first time against Liverpool at the weekend but has flown to Cuba ahead of Saturday’s World Cup qualifier and next Wednesday’s trip to Trinidad for another qualifier.
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