Aston Villa: Agbonlahor, Cuellar and Collins in frame for Vienna comebacks
Aug 24 2010 by Mat Kendrick, Birmingham Mail
GABBY Agbonlahor, James Collins and Carlos Cuellar have given Kevin MacDonald a timely boost ahead of Villa’s crucial Europa League return tie against Rapid Vienna.
Agbonlahor made a goalscoring return to action during Villa’s behind-closed-doors practice match 5-0 win over Burton at Bodymoor Heath yesterday.
The Brummie striker, who has missed the first three games of the season with a back/hamstring problem, completed 45 minutes of the private friendly.
Centre-halves Collins and Cuellar also played half of the game after recovering from respective calf and hamstring injuries.
The likely availability of Collins and Cuellar for the first time this season is a boost for MacDonald after Villa’s defence conceded six goals against Newcastle at St James’ Park on Sunday.
“Depending on how their bodies react, all three players should be fit and in the squad for the second leg of our Europa League play-off game against Rapid Vienna on Thursday,” said the caretaker manager.
“We will have to wait and see if there are any reactions but at this moment we are hopeful they will be able to return.”
